High fire danger early in the season - KOTA Territory News

High fire danger early in the season

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Our recent hot and dry days have significantly increased the fire danger in KOTA Territory.

Although a few showers have fallen here and there, giving us some moisture, it hasn't been enough. And we're in what is typically the wettest time of year.

But, this year we are seeing abnormally dry conditions and that's leading to a high fire danger.

According to State Fire Meteorologist Darren Clabo, unseasonably mild temperatures earlier in the year are causing plants and soil to be drier than normal.

Though the recent storms did bring some rain, it's simply not enough.

"With these types of storms that we've seen yesterday and today they are brief. They might dump a quarter to a half inch of rain over an hour, but most of the precipitation can run off and it doesn't actually get absorbed into the fuels," said Clabo.

Clabo says we are already in drought conditions, and our driest months aren't until July and August.

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