Why wildfires in the Plains are a troubling signal

Our WD staff meteorologist Pete recently talked to the Washington Post about the early signals for fire disasters this year. Here's what to know:

What’s happening: Fire season is starting earlier. Many parts of the west had a lack of winter rain and snow, meaning dry conditions, combining with strong winds and record March heat. The combo is accelerating how quickly fires can ignite and spread

What’s weird: Areas that are typically too wet to burn this time of year are already dry enough to catch fire. Last week's Morrill Fire in Nebraska burned 643,000 acres in a week—unusually large and fast for this early in the season

Why it matters: Fires may move faster, start sooner, and occur in multiple places at once. Early awareness and preparation are more important than ever