Due to unusually warm temps lately, the US Forest Service fire officials are urging visitors to practice fire safety. Most portions of the western Nebraska and South Dakota reached or exceeded 70 degrees yesterday, Monday, Nov. 27.
Scott Bovey, Fire Management Officer (FMO) for the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands said, It is unusual to be this late in the year and to continue to have a very high fire potential. It is equally unusual to have these conditions on all Districts of our forest, considering we span from western to central Nebraska as well as western to central South Dakota.
According to the Great Plains Interagency Dispatch Center, across the entire region there have been eleven wildland fires during the past month. Even though none of the wildfires burned large areas or buildings, fire potential and danger remains high.
Very high fire danger means that fire can start easily and spread quickly. We ask for everyones help to prevent wildland fires, said Bovey. Fuels are dry due to seasonal curing of plants and grasses. We are entering winter when we get high, sustained north winds, which is a key factor for assessing fire risks. Wind driven fires can move really fast, making it hard for firefighters to get ahead of them and put them out, especially on the grasslands.
Bovey also asks people to practice campfire safety and to please report any fire as soon as possible.
