Arizona officials warned earlier this year that unusually warm and dry conditions are making for an earlier, stronger fire season. But now that the state is receiving some moisture, is any of that changing?
The National Weather Service says Arizona is getting its best opportunity for precipitation that it’s had all winter. That means some much-welcomed relief from conditions that could fuel flames.
But a number of small fires were seen across the state this week, and Bill Boyd of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said all the wet weather is doing is providing a respite from that.
"It’s given us a little bit of relief for the duration of the moisture, but you know, afterwards it’s going to be heat and wind, it's going to dry everything out again and we’re gonna be back to where we were," he said.
Boyd said a normal fire season starts in May; he doesn't think that is realistic this year.
The National Weather Service said this week and possibly next week will continue to be cooler and more humid, with a chance of precipitation. After that, there’s a good chance Arizona will return to dry conditions.
