Light at end of wildfire's tunnel

Climatologist Cliff Harris wrote an interesting piece on glaciers in Monday's Press. Next week he'll dish out some fascinating facts on icebergs. But where's a glacier and a couple of icebergs when you really need 'em?

As Cliff also noted, our area has had less than one-third its normal precipitation since early June. Combining the drought with 35 days this summer of temperatures at or above 90 degrees - 10 more wretchedly hot days than average for the entire season - it should be no surprise that our skies are clogged with smoke from literally hundreds of wildfires throughout the region. And in the aftermath of three Washington firefighters being killed while doing their jobs, this terrifying thought occurs: As bad as this summer has been and projects to continue to be, is it possible that summer 2016 could be even worse?

Of course it could. But according to Press meteorologist Randy Mann, it can also be better. On Thursday, Mann told the Press editorial board that this has been "one of the toughest summers in memory." However, he added: "I'm starting to see some changes that may bring us some showers in early September."

More good news from Mann: "I think rainfall totals will return to normal later in September and October. As far as the winter goes, snowfall totals are expected to be lower than normal due to the warmer ocean temperatures, which leads to warmer air temperatures. However, it's always possible that we could see a brief period of heavier snows and even an ice storm. This type of pattern tends to favor that.

"Next summer should not be as bad, as El Nino is expected to weaken. Remember the wet spring years ago? Now it's drought, then we'll flip back to the other side within the next few years."

We're encouraged by Mann's forecast but also caution that we're not out of the wildfire woods by a long shot. The interfaces between civilization and our forests are unsafe. The forests themselves, because of misguided litigation, inadequate federal funding and a less-than-compliant Mother Nature of late, are tinderboxes awaiting the next lightning strike or stupid human. This is an emergency of the highest order, and you don't need to talk to the families of the three dead Washington firefighters to grasp that. Just step outside and breathe.

Americans need prompt and decisive action from Congress and the White House to significantly reduce the danger of catastrophic fires. Maybe then the light in the forest next summer will only be a happy family's campfire.