SPOKANE -- It has been almost 30 days since Spokane County has seen a substantial rainfall. Firefighters say going 30 days without decent rainfall is a key fire danger indicator.
According to the National Weather Service, at the beginning of the month, we picked up more than two tenths of an inch. Then we had a long dry spell. Over the last few days, we have only seen a few sprinkles to coat the ground.
Firefighters say the minimal moisture helps curb the fire potential on the day it falls. But it does not do much when they are looking at the season. Not only are grasses drying out but the logs and larger tree limbs are approaching critical levels. And with a slower start, firefighters have not had the smaller fires to gear up for the season ahead. Firefighters are focusing their everyday efforts on wild land training, just waiting in case something sparks.
The fire danger still remains high in Spokane County. If the area does not get any significant rainfall this weekend, the crucial 30 day mark will be next Monday.
