Page 22 - MWC 03-11-2021

The Midwest Cattleman · March 11, 2021 · P22

Weather Patterns Increase Risk of Kansas Wildfires

Kansas Forest Service prep- ically results in an increase of cally large fires have occurred 10,000 firefighters.
ping for busy spring Kansas wind events. due to strong front systems like “I would say, at this point, our
A swing to drier weather Redmond writes: “This is those expected this spring, ac- preparations are pretty typical
patterns and higher winds this poor timing. The combination of cording to Redmond. for what we do ahead of each
spring is likely to increase the warmer and drier weather with Eric Ward, an assistant fire season,” Ward said. “The Kansas
risk of wildfires in parts of Kan- increased frontal passages will manager officer with the Kansas Forest Service and our state and
sas, according to a recent report coincide with what we typically Forest Service, said his agency is federal partners are here to sup-
from officials with the Kansas consider the fire season in Kan- preparing for what could be an port as needed, such as by our
Mesonet, a network of 70 weath- sas.” active spring for the state’s 600- contract with Tanker 95 to pro-
er stations throughout the state. Many of the state’s histori- plus fire agencies and more than vide aerial fire suppression.
Chip Redmond, the manager “We also have agreements
of Kansas Mesonet, added that with the Kansas Ag Aviation As-
the expected weather conditions sociation, whose members can
combined with an above normal provide smaller aircraft to as-
amount of grass loading – or fuel sist, and the Kansas Army Na-
– has increased the potential of tional Guard has provided heli-
fire in south central to north- copters with buckets a number
west Kansas. of times to support firefighting
“The weather pattern is an- efforts.”
ticipated to transition toward Ward says the Kansas Forest
La Niña and become conducive Service – in addition to provid-
to dry frontal passages by early ing firefighting support – fills
March,” Redmond writes in a re- a role to provide information to
cent forecast of the potential for partner agencies, local fire de-
spring wildfires. “With recent partments and the public to help
drought in the western part of them prepare for potential fire
the state, these areas are likely events.
to expand because precipitation “We’ve also met with our
trends statewide are below nor- counterparts in Oklahoma to be
mal through most of spring, a better prepared for cross-border
time of more critical importance The Kansas Forest Service is among the agencies that assist in responding to wildfires in fires like we’ve seen in recent
for annual moisture totals.” the state and around the country. The photo above shows KFS Engine 44 helping during years,” Ward said. “We provide
An increase of dry fronts typ- the Pine Gulch Fire in Colorado last year. continued on page 24
“Th
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