** Wildfire season* has begun
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Tuesday, June 21, 2021
The Flatt Fire in Utah, June 2021 | Utah Fire Info ([link removed])

Following an unprecedented heat wave across the Western United States, wildfire fuel conditions have worsened ([link removed]) and wind gusts and incredibly dry humidity have led to a critical fire threat. The resulting high fire danger came to fruition over the past weekend ([link removed]) as multiple wildfires broke out in states across the West. Yesterday, 7 million people were under red flag warnings ([link removed]) across the region.

Fires from this weekend are burning in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Arizona. In Arizona, the city of Flagstaff is threatened ([link removed]) by wildfire, and the national forest surrounding it has announced a full closure ([link removed]) set to begin later this week. The closure would be the first since 2006 ([link removed]) . At the same time, the Telegraph Fire has become the sixth-largest fire in Arizona’s history ([link removed]) .

The outlook moving forward doesn't look much better. Climate change continues to exacerbate fire season risk factors ([link removed]) , such as drought, heat waves, and even lightning strikes ([link removed]) . Heat waves are now three times more likely compared to 100 years ago ([link removed]) , and more than 83 percent ([link removed]) of the West is in a drought. This is concerning as vegetation moisture content is closely tied to a fire's spread rate
([link removed]) : in other words, when fuels are critically dry, as they are now, fires can get much bigger much faster. With fire season already increased by 75 days ([link removed]) across the Sierras, it's only expected to keep growing longer and more intense ([link removed]) . As the gap closes, experts say ([link removed]) there isn't so much a defined wildfire season in the West anymore, but instead it lasts year round.

Even with an awareness of climate change impacts and the knowledge that the stage is set for a bad season, making predictions is tough ([link removed]) and relies on assessing both risk factors and wild cards ([link removed]) such as weather and people's behaviors. One forecast is that up to 9.5 million acres could burn this year, 140% of the 10-year average ([link removed]) (which is still not as much as last year, when more than 10 million acres ([link removed]) were scorched). The potential for “significant fire
activity” is “above normal” ([link removed]) for pretty much all of the West at some point this year.

Although the outlook for this season is scary, there is some hope in the form of technology innovation that could drive smarter firefighting ([link removed]) . A group of experts recently discussed solutions such as accessible fire technology, data sharing and coordination, private-public partnerships, and local infrastructure improvements. Even if technology can lend a hand, it's also time for everyone in the West to be careful as we all hold our breath to see what the rest of the summer may bring.

*It's always wildfire season now.
Quick hits


** The drought in the West is bad and it’s gonna get worse
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Outside ([link removed])


** Editorial: Biden’s 30x30 plan is no land grab, would be good for Nebraska
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Lincoln Journal Star ([link removed])


** New Mexico is dependent on oil and gas, but has an opportunity to become the epicenter of renewable energy
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Searchlight New Mexico ([link removed])


** Las Vegas pushes land swap to balance growth, conservation
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Climate change battered the West before summer even began
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New York Times ([link removed])


** Push continues to get Avi Kwa Ame designated as National Monument
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KSNV ([link removed])


** Opinion: The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act will help achieve 30×30 goals
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Missoula Current ([link removed])


** Grizzlies are roaming farther and wider. What does that mean for species recovery efforts, and are bears or people causing the problems?
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Missoulian ([link removed]) [Species recovery] | WyoFile ([link removed]) [Bears or people, a standoff]
Quote of the day
Tracy Stone-Manning is the right leader at the right time for the BLM. She is passionate about public lands and has the experience to bring people together to find durable solutions. Without a Senate confirmed director for four years, the BLM needs a leader who will listen, collaborate, and lead the agency in fulfilling its multiple-use mandate and the day-to-day operations of managing our public lands. She has demonstrated ability to work constructively with all public land stakeholders.”

—Mike Penfold, former Montana state director for the Bureau of Land Management, B ([link removed]) illings Gazette ([link removed])
Picture this


** @f ([link removed]) orestservice ([link removed])
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It's #PollinatorWeek ([link removed]) ! #DidYouKnow ([link removed]) that agroforestry practices like planting trees, shrubs alongside crops can help pollinators survive and thrive? Pollinators are key to reproduction of wild plants in our fragmented global landscape. [link removed] ([link removed])

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