Washington state leaders are raising concerns about what could be a difficult wildfire season ahead, citing critically low snowpack and dry conditions as early warning signs of potential trouble just months before the state’s peak fire season begins in August. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove, who oversees the state’s wildfire response through the Department of Natural Resources, said troubling indicators are already appearing, with statewide snowpack at just 54% of the median — the third-lowest on record since 1985.
“One indication we’re seeing that is troubling is very low snowpack. And snowpack alone isn’t a concern, but it’s one of the indications of potential drought conditions,” Upthegrove said. The current snowpack deficit constitutes a “snow drought,” in which precipitation levels are near or above normal, but warmer temperatures cause moisture to fall primarily as rain rather than snow. As of March 2026, five monitoring stations were at record-low snow water equivalent levels, with nine others at their second-lowest.
The combination of low snowpack and dry conditions creates ideal circumstances for fires to ignite and spread rapidly, particularly in Eastern Washington, where communities have experienced devastating wildfires in recent years. Eastern Washington experiences roughly 70% of the state’s wildland fires. State officials have already responded to fires in the Columbia Basin this year, with the most recent incident near Mattawa last week. These early-season fires serve as a concerning preview, occurring well before Washington’s typical wildfire season, which begins in early July and peaks in August and September.
Apple Valley News Now
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