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[Salmonchaser]

We were continuing with our fire hardening efforts based on the long term trends in NE Oregon. 25 wasn’t too bad for fires, 24 burned 2 million acres in the state, two of the biggest were less than 20 miles away. In our immediate area we’ve had a couple of pretty wet springs, part of what fueled the fires in 24 as the spring green up was significant. Same last year so I brought in some additional steers to keep things cleaned up. In the last three years I’ve probably built 75 to 100 Volkswagen size burn piles out of low growing limbs, dead brush and other ladder fuels. Mixed blessing, lot less to carry a fire but particularly in our riparian zones a whole flush of new growth. I keep the steers fenced out of our two creeks but late in the summer I’ll let them in there for a few days to kinda clean things up. Both our creeks dried up by august last summer as well.
Last year we also started controlled burning in the early spring, late April with just enough drying to allow a low fire to carry through our timber. We let the cattle and horses take care of the pastures. Wanted to burn it in the fall as well but it was too dry then too wet or I was gone hunting.
As to the snow pack in NE Oregon (4.5 hours east of Portland thank God) I checked this morning. Most sites are reporting 40 to 50% of normal a few are up around 60%. Still plenty of time to make up the shortage.

 

[antlerradar]

It's too early to begin the fire threat fret. There's enough to worry about that's real and happening now.
But keep us posted and if it's dry in April ... we'll fret with you.

When I clicked on the National Weather Service this morning the first thing I noticed was the alert for elevated concern for grass fires with the lack of snow and the forecast wind tomorrow. With all of the burning coal seams, a fire is a real possibility.