In fact, he said, the only change he s heard about would be a change for the worse. Thunderstorms are anticipated overnight Wednesday and on Thursday, bringing with them the potential for more fire starts and increased winds. Isolated thunderstorms, he said, are worse than no rain at all. We just haven t had much rain with these thunderstorms so far. Fuels are so dry, the moisture content is not increasing with the small amount of rain that is falling.
Fires are back up and running after one day s drying.
Even in town, vegetation cured in mid-July, a month ahead of normal, Harrington said. Add the unprecedented drying to the condition of the forests, and this season s fires are understandable to fire scientists. The United States has actively suppressed wildfires for nearly 90 years, allowing an unprecedented accumulation of biomass. Trees, litter and debris on the ground, Harrington explained. We ve allowed it to build up.