High Fire Risk
We will have elevated fire danger risk this week starting Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 16 in western and central Nebraska and there will still be elevated fire danger on Friday. But Thursday, Oct. 17 is the day I am most concerned about. To be clear: There will be VERY HIGH fire danger across the eastern half of Nebraska and western Iowa if the forecast verifies. We have all the right ingredients converging for very high fire risk on Thursday:
Very dry surface with dormant/dead vegetation for a high fuel load. Most of us in this region have not had decent rainfall in two months, an increasing share of the state/region is in severe drought, and soil moisture percentiles are below the 5th percentile statewide and across much of the central U.S. currently. In other words, the landscape is as dry as it's been in mid-October in many years and primed for rapid spread of fire.
High winds. Sustained winds of 20-30 mph from the south will be prevalent Thursday afternoon with gusts into the 40s. Some areas of eastern Nebraska may see gusts nearing 50 mph.
Low relative humidity levels. By Friday, Oct. 18, this will be higher, hence the modest reduction in risk on Friday, though danger will still be quite elevated.
Some fertilizer dealers will loan water-filled nurse tanks to help producers with wildfire — contact your local dealer to see if this service is available in your area.
Water tankers, fire extinguishers and discs may be needed in areas where harvest is ongoing. Consider this a warning to get prepared and please pass this word on to others. Bottomline: We all need to take extra care to make sure fires don't start on Thursday. Any fires that start and are not quickly contained have the potential to be a disaster.
