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Ongoing drought

Despite some rain, firefighters’ hard work and good luck, threat of wildfire remains

That Southwest Colorado has made it three-quarters of the way through July without a major wildfire is largely a testament to the skill and hard work of local firefighters, combined, of course, with a little bit of luck. It is not a reason to become complacent or to relax any precautions about wildfire. This area is still in a drought, and the threat of wildfire is still to be taken seriously.

As the Herald reported Monday, the National Drought Mitigation Center lists the northern part of La Plata County as abnormally dry. That is the part of the county that at this time of year typically sees almost daily rain from thunderstorms driven by summer’s monsoonal flow.

The center says the southern part of the county is suffering severe drought. And to the west of us, the situation in Montezuma County is worse. In other parts of Colorado, the drought is characterized as extreme or even exceptional.

Right in the middle of all that, Pagosa Springs experienced a flash flood last week. Several homes and half a dozen businesses were damaged.

That anomalous event aside, the danger of wildfire persists. The Durango Fire Protection District has sent two firefighters and a truck to help Oregon battle a wildfire. It did so not because there is no danger here, but because Oregon’s needs are more pressing and because local firefighters have been so successful in stopping fires started by lightning from growing and getting out of control.

So far this summer, the Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch Center has dealt with 68 wildfires caused by lightning. That all were kept from developing into major fires shows how adept local firefighters have become at quickly and effectively responding at the first sign of fire.

But in any situation, a perfect record is difficult to sustain. That is made all the more daunting by the fact that fighting wildfire is so heavily influenced by nature and the weather, elements beyond anyone’s control.

The least the rest of us can do is not to make the firefighters’ job harder – and more dangerous – by acting foolishly or carelessly with fire. Take care with campfires, and observe any rules or prohibitions that might be in place. Particular caution needs to accompany controlled burns or any open burning. Above all, be aware and remember that wildfire remains a threat.

Of course, what is really needed is some rain. By this late in the month of July, Southwest Colorado should be experiencing the monsoons – the seasonal flow of moisture blowing in from Mexico and the Pacific Ocean that in most years brings afternoon showers, especially in the high country. That extra moisture helps to mitigate the effects of the drought. As we have seen this summer, without it any storms we do get tend to produce lightning but little rain.

Weather forecasters seem assured that at least some monsoonal moisture is in our future, although how much and when are less certain. History, however is clearly in our favor. The La Plata County Fair will be held Aug. 6 through Aug. 10. It always rains at fair time.



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