Cold 2011 has benefits: Wildfires in state way down

OLYMPIA — The cold, wet weather that persisted through much of Washington this year has helped minimize the number of wildfires that usually wreak havoc during the summer months.

On state-protected lands, the number of wildfires through the end of July was down sharply, from an average of 467 in the past three years to only 214 this year. The number of acres burned fell even more dramatically, from about 11,000 acres average to about 200.

This week in August typically marks the midpoint — and pinnacle — of the fire season. But officials have battled only a few small blazes, and forecasters see no signs of any major lightning storms in the immediate future.

The only question is whether it will stay that way.

“I very much like where we are, but I’m a long way from being comfortable that it’s going to stay that way,” said Joe Shramek, who leads the state’s wildfire protection efforts at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. “There’s still another six weeks of potential for fire that could become significant.”

Shramek said it appears Washington has also been aided by a summer burn ban on state lands.

Ellie Kelch, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Spokane, said the wet spring left much of eastern Washington’s timber and larger fuels so wet that they still haven’t dried enough to carry a major fire. Unless there is an extended dry period through September, it’s possible those fuels won’t become a significant fire threat this year.

Kelch is more concerned about the long grasses, which grew prolifically with the aid of wet weather but have since dried. The state could see some more of those fires, though they typically burn out more quickly.

Washington’s low fire activity has been aided not just by the wet, cold weather but also by the lack of lightning. Storms have triggered wildfires in Oregon, Idaho and Montana but have seemed to largely bypass Washington, Kelch said. The storms that have hit the state have sprouted only minor lightning.

“It’s been a very moderated pattern,” Kelch said. “There’s been no big extremes.”

Lands in southeastern Oregon and Idaho haven’t fared as well because they have seen more lightning activity. The federal Bureau of Land Management has seen some 28,000 acres burned in Oregon, mostly in its Vale district next to Idaho. Oregon forestry lands, meanwhile, have only seen a couple of hundred acres burn, down from its usual of more than 20,000 acres to this point.

Because Oregon officials have been spared any large fires on state-managed lands, they haven’t had to mobilize many of the resources that are usually busy around the clock this time of year.

“That saves potentially millions (of dollars),” said Oregon Department of Forestry spokesman Rod Nichols. “Of course, we’ve got a long ways to go yet.”

Aside from frustrating people on summer vacation, the weather has had a variety of other, negative repercussions in the state. Gov. Chris Gregoire asked the federal government this week to consider declaring the state a farming disaster because the cold weather had ruined crop development. Attendance at Mount Rainier National Park has dropped precipitously because snow still covers many of the trails.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Rick Steves launches $1M match challenge for Lynnwood Neighborhood Center

The $64.5 million Lynnwood Neighborhood Center will house several community spaces and partner with local nonprofits.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council denies latest Eastview Village appeal

Council members affirmed previous approvals of the development planned off Cathcart Way near Highway 9.

Everett
Everett police: Man sold drugs to woman prior to fatal overdose

The man, who faces a charge under the state’s controlled substance homicide law, remains in Snohomish County Jail on more than $1M bond.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.