The “very active” fire season predicted for the U.S. since the beginning of the year may largely kick off this week, according to forecasts from the National Interagency Fire Center.

Elevated fire weather conditions are set across the Southwest and southern Great Basin regions due to strong winds, dry conditions and very warm temperatures, according to the Center’s forecasts. Much of the Southwest, Great Basin, and far north are expected to experience significant wildland fire potential throughout June, according to the Center’s outlooks.

Much of Arizona, Utah and southeast Nevada specifically are at high risk of wildfire ignitions this week, mainly due to windy conditions, data from the Center’s daily forecasts showed.

“Minimum relative humidity will fall to 5-15% across Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, with southwest winds 10-20 mph and gusts to 30-35 mph across exposed terrain and ridges, with the strongest winds in southern Nevada, southwest Utah, and northwest Arizona,” Center officials said.

Wildfire crews have already been busier than usual this year. More than 31,511 fires have burned almost 2.5 million acres nationwide, which are above the 10-year averages of 22,270 fires and 1.27 million acres, according to the Center.

Peak wildfire season nears as Western states are expected to face water shortages due to extremely low streamflows throughout the spring, according to the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service.

“Many of the rivers are likely to experience well-below median streamflows, which may rival the lowest flows on record for the region,” the Service said in a previous Water and Climate Update. “Water shortages are anticipated in many locations, especially for entities that rely on surface streamflow water, without the benefit of having access to stored reservoir water.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Record-low water shortages expected ahead of very active US wildfire season

The low streamflows were blamed primarily on record-low snowpack during the winter months, which also melted weeks earlier than normal. The “unprecedented” snowpack levels were the lowest in 40 years, and researchers said the only way extreme fire chances could be reduced was through a “major switch” in circulation patterns. So far, there’s nothing in season forecasts or weather models that indicate such a switch is on its way.