Inland Washington Drought and the Effect on Wildfire
Faculty Mentor
Richard Orndorff
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
10-5-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
10-5-2023 10:45 AM
Location
PUB NCR
Department
Geography
Abstract
Drought is a significant environmental factor that influences the frequency, intensity, and duration of wildfires within inland Washington. This part of Washington from the east flank of the Cascades to the Idaho border is characterized by dense forests, arid desert plains, hot summer temperatures, and low summer precipitation, all of which create ideal conditions for wildfires. In recent years, wildfires have become more frequent and more severe. Inland Washington has experienced several consecutive years of below-average precipitation, leading to a decrease in soil moisture and an increase in the availability of dry vegetation. Climate change is also exacerbating the effects of drought. Rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and an increase in extreme weather events are creating ideal conditions for wildfires to spread. Additionally, human activities such as logging and poor urban planning are increasing the risk of wildfires.
In 2020 alone, the state experienced some of the largest wildfires in its history, with over 800,000 acres burned, tens of thousands of people evacuated, and multiple homes and other structures destroyed. The fires were fueled by dry vegetation and high winds, and they created a significant health hazard due to widespread smoke and particulates. Local authorities have proposed and implemented a range of measures to reduce wildfire risk, including improved land management practices and greater public awareness.
Recommended Citation
Hopkins, Brandon, "Inland Washington Drought and the Effect on Wildfire" (2023). 2023 Symposium. 38.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2023/res_2023/p1_2023/38
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Inland Washington Drought and the Effect on Wildfire
PUB NCR
Drought is a significant environmental factor that influences the frequency, intensity, and duration of wildfires within inland Washington. This part of Washington from the east flank of the Cascades to the Idaho border is characterized by dense forests, arid desert plains, hot summer temperatures, and low summer precipitation, all of which create ideal conditions for wildfires. In recent years, wildfires have become more frequent and more severe. Inland Washington has experienced several consecutive years of below-average precipitation, leading to a decrease in soil moisture and an increase in the availability of dry vegetation. Climate change is also exacerbating the effects of drought. Rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and an increase in extreme weather events are creating ideal conditions for wildfires to spread. Additionally, human activities such as logging and poor urban planning are increasing the risk of wildfires.
In 2020 alone, the state experienced some of the largest wildfires in its history, with over 800,000 acres burned, tens of thousands of people evacuated, and multiple homes and other structures destroyed. The fires were fueled by dry vegetation and high winds, and they created a significant health hazard due to widespread smoke and particulates. Local authorities have proposed and implemented a range of measures to reduce wildfire risk, including improved land management practices and greater public awareness.
