Smokey Bear was right
Those summery, sunny days we had last week crested a wave of seasonal warnings from land agencies and county emergency services, just as we aim to play outdoors after feeling cooped up too long:
Hot. Dry. Especially fire-prone — that’s 2021.
No, this isn’t just “more bad news.” This is a reminder in total self-interest that the price we pay for the privilege of living in this slice of paradise is smoke-and-wildfire season.
It’s set up to be a doozy. And, as any heroic Hotshot will tell you, that season has been getting tougher to manage (shoutout to all firefighters and responders — thank you!). The fires they face are hotter, faster-spreading, and an increasing challenge these last years.
It started two months early this year. Already April’s Juliaetta fire near Lewiston and one in Coolin last month covered 50 acres and threatened homes.
A study by insurance analysts at Quotewizard ranked Idaho and Montana the nation's most at-risk states for the 2021 fire season, because of record drought. A May 1 report from the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service says half of Idaho is experiencing drought.
This summer, we’re facing some record conditions not only because of climate trends, but because spring didn’t bring its usual rain. And no, our recent bit wasn’t nearly enough to make up for it.
Why is that on us, not just Mother Nature? Because according to the Bureau of Land Management, 53 percent of Idaho’s “wild” fires in the last 20 years were human-caused.
More than half. Totally preventable.
So it is on us. The upside of course is that means we have some control. If we eliminated the human factor, fire season’s risk to property, life and health, and the financial costs (money sometimes diverted from other forest health funds only worsens the situation), could be so much less of a problem.
What can we do about it? Simple, but effective.
To quote Kootenai County EMS, “Under dry conditions, summer activities such as grilling and setting off fireworks have the potential to cause large fires. Please be mindful of this as you and your family plan to enjoy the beauty of this area that many of us are fortunate enough to call home.”
That means:
• Before you burn trash or slash, get the required permit at Burnpermits.Idaho.gov.
• Campfires: Keep them small; never use gasoline or other flammable liquids; always have a hose, water bucket, or shovel with dirt ready; and make sure it’s completely out before you walk away.
• Don’t toss cigarettes out a car window or on the ground. Too many wildfires have started that way. I witnessed it once along U.S. 95, had to stop to report it when I saw the brush ignite as the clueless cig-tosser ahead drove away.
• If you play with fireworks: Don’t do it in a forested or brush area. Never ignite one in a container. Don’t try to re-light or handle malfunctioning ones. Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding. Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire.
• To protect your home, clear pine needles, leaves and debris from rooflines, gutters, decks, porches, fences and your home perimeter. Within a 30-foot radius, remove any piles, stacked wood, and ideally, boats or vehicles which could become a large fuel source.
• Keep shrubs and trees trimmed to at least 5 feet from a building, and 6 to 10 feet above ground.
• Don’t leave candles burning. An average 7,600 fires in the U.S. each year start that way (NFPA.org).
If you’re interested in learning more about Idaho’s wildfire scene and ways to mitigate it, Dalton Garden resident and forestry foundation founder Jim Petersen’s well-researched book, “First Put Out the Fire!” offers broad-based, illustrated information with QR codes for more data. Information at www.Evergreenmagazine.com.
As Smokey Bear always said, “Remember, only YOU can prevent wildfires.”
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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who hates fireworks more than a high-strung pup. Email [email protected].