The last seven days have been very wet in some parts of the United States, especially in north-central Montana where, according to the NOAA map above, some areas had five to eight inches of precipitation. (Click on the map to see a larger version.)
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After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.
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4 thoughts on “A rainy week”
The higher probability of above average rainfall for NW Montana was forecast two weeks ago, but USFS continued with expensive air shows, fireline explosives, and exposing firefighters to hazards unnecessarily. Does anyone wonder why fire suppression costs $5000/acre?
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Thomas – local politicians, media-types, ranchers grazing cows, WUI homeowners and the general population don’t look at 3-5 day weather forecasts: they see timber burning, jobs lost, pastured burned over, homes threatened and the more immediate threats. In a perfect world, we as land managers and fire folks would be able to take the “big picture” outlook, but Rangers and other land managers live in small, local communities. Try your approach in the LA Basin when the Santa Anas are blowing: tell residents/politians/media that the winds will stop day-after-tomorrow, so we’re keeping the DC-10s on the ground ’cause they won’t do any good in 60 mph winds, and we’re just wasting taxpayer money. Then pack your bags for a permanent move to Outback, Utah.
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Was the Forest Service using fireline explosives this year? I thought only the Washington DNR had an active FLE program?
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Yep, I inhabit the upper center of that giant red blob. Got home to 4 feet of water in the basement. This is going to be hard on my task book, but good for my cows.
The higher probability of above average rainfall for NW Montana was forecast two weeks ago, but USFS continued with expensive air shows, fireline explosives, and exposing firefighters to hazards unnecessarily. Does anyone wonder why fire suppression costs $5000/acre?
Thomas – local politicians, media-types, ranchers grazing cows, WUI homeowners and the general population don’t look at 3-5 day weather forecasts: they see timber burning, jobs lost, pastured burned over, homes threatened and the more immediate threats. In a perfect world, we as land managers and fire folks would be able to take the “big picture” outlook, but Rangers and other land managers live in small, local communities. Try your approach in the LA Basin when the Santa Anas are blowing: tell residents/politians/media that the winds will stop day-after-tomorrow, so we’re keeping the DC-10s on the ground ’cause they won’t do any good in 60 mph winds, and we’re just wasting taxpayer money. Then pack your bags for a permanent move to Outback, Utah.
Was the Forest Service using fireline explosives this year? I thought only the Washington DNR had an active FLE program?
Yep, I inhabit the upper center of that giant red blob. Got home to 4 feet of water in the basement. This is going to be hard on my task book, but good for my cows.