With temperatures possibly soaring into the 90s by Friday and no rain in sight, the state Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday raised the fire danger level to high on state lands in Snohomish County.
Below-average rainfall over the past few months has left area forests dangerously dry, said Dan Pugmire, fire program manager for DNR’s northwest region. The elevated danger level also applies to state and private forests in Island, Skagit, San Juan and Whatcom counties.
The U.S. Forest Service is maintaining the fire-danger level at moderate in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, but might raise it to high if the dry spell continues, area Forest Service spokesman Ron DeHart said.
“We’ve been fortunate so far with the warm, dry spells we’ve had. But anything could happen,” DeHart said.
No rain is expected in the near future, National Weather Service meteorologist Johnny Burg said. Above-normal temperatures are forecast through October, but rainfall is expected to be about average, he said.
The lack of rain has led to low water flows in most area rivers. If river levels continue to drop, the shallow water could prevent some salmon from reaching their spawning grounds, said Doug Williams, a spokesman for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. And warmer water from low flows means less oxygen for fish and more parasites that could harm them, he said.
Amateur geologist Bob LeMoon marveled at the rocks he saw Tuesday as he walked along the south fork of the Stillaguamish River near Verlot. The water normally would be covering most of the rocks, he said.
“Obviously, that rock’s worn away because the water is always hitting it,” said LeMoon, 57, of Kirkland as he pointed toward the smoothly curved top of a large rock protruding from the shallow river. “It’s never exposed.”
Travis Haskins, 12, of Marysville was disappointed as he floated on a small inflatable raft on the Stillaguamish with his brother and cousin.
“It’s something to do, but it’s kind of boring,” he said. “With more water, you move quicker and the rocks don’t stop you as much.”
The shallow rivers have led to a 30 percent drop in river-tour business for Alpine Adventures in Gold Bar.
The company stopped its group rafting tours of the Skykomish River rapids last week because low water levels led to more danger for riders and less exciting rapids, said Steven Fore, general manager of Alpine Adventures.
Water flows in the Skykomish are less than half of normal. Group tours are continuing on calmer stretches of the river, and more experienced riders are going down the Skykomish in single-person inflatable kayaks.
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
