We're rounding into our third official week of spring next week, which is somewhat startling, seeing how this winter was so spring-like all the way through.
Thanks in large part to El Nino, a dry December transitioned into one of the top ten warmest Januarys since records began, and it's been well over a month since the last recorded snowfall in the area.
This pleasanter-than-average weather brings with it an easy transition from the indoor doldrums to a downpour of outdoor community events, activities and sports. Unlike last winter's leftover snow, which rendered many playfields and parks hard to use well into the warmer months, local schools and clubs have been able to bypass all that climate-related upkeep and get out early for practices and games.
But a lack of winter weather conditions doesn't come without a penalty. State snow pack levels are from 50 to 80 percent below normal, and about 70 percent of Washington's surface water comes from that snowmelt. The spring months are expected to bring moderate amounts of rainfall, moisture that might help area farmers eke out some healthy crops, but it probably won't be enough to offset the implications of drought. Rivers and lakes will be low, which will be bad for boaters and could also adversely affect fish and wildlife habitat.
Even more pressing, fire danger will be high this year. A relatively slow fire season last year left a lot of fuel on the ground. Couple that with the lack of precipitation and little groundwater and the potential for a bad fire season is unmistakable.
While West Plains fire departments are more than ready to combat fires this summer, it's vital for area residents to see the danger and to act as a first line of defense. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suggests creating defensible space around homes and along primary access roads by keeping tree limbs trimmed and bushes pruned back.
Keeping your yard free of debris and overgrown brush is a simple way to protect your property, and ultimately your neighbor's, from fire danger. Outdoor burning of residential yard and garden waste is prohibited in most corners of Spokane County, but there are many non-burning methods for handling organic debris.
Cheney offers free yard waste disposal to residents, who can bring leaves, grass clippings, pine needles and pruned branches up to four feet in length and two inches in diameter to the site next to the Cheney Recycling Center at 100 Anderson Road.
Medical Lake's compost trailer, located by the recycling center at S. 801 Lefevre St., accepts similar yard refuse as well as branches up to two feet in length. Airway Heights offers its residents a yard waste dumpsite across the street from the community center on the corner of 13th and Lundstrom Streets.
As the weather heats up and spring activities kick into high gear, there will be more to do outdoors than you can shake a calendar at. But before heading out to the baseball game, the fun run or the picnic, make it a priority to pick up a rake, dust off the pruning shears and haul a few loads to the local drop spot. You, and your neighbors, will appreciate the effort if things really heat up this summer.
Reader Comments(0)