This year, north Idaho snowpacks and stream flows are barely at half the normal average and recent precipitation has not changed projected drought conditions, which are predicted to last at least until fall. Due to increased funding, Vore anticipates having a third more firefighting resources available in North Idaho than last year. But the firefighters can be dispatched to any wildfire in the country. A few have already been sent to fight fires in Florida. Bob Burke of the Idaho Department of Lands warns that some of the larger fuels have not retained moisture because of the relatively dry winter.
Wildfires are more difficult to control once large fuels are ignited.
Burke said that while conditions are ripe, it takes a spark to set a fire. It's not predictable.