Hoping for an easy summer for fire crews

No doubt many of our neighbors remember what happened here in 1996 when the Miller’s Reach Fire — still the state’s most destructive — tore through the community, incinerating acres and acres of forest, homes and businesses.

One thing seems certain: No one wants to experience a repeat.

While no lives were lost, the toll the fire took on our community and our lives has lasted for years.

Today, it is still possible to drive Big Lake Road and see charred remains from that fire. That’s different from the months and years that passed before when you could drive that road and not see anything but charred trees and people living out of wall tents or camper trailers.

While clear, blue skies boosted by wind hasten the melting of snow and the arrival of mowing season, too many days like this are a recipe for a repeat of that conflagration.

So, at the risk of ruining our popularity, we’re praying for rain.

Fire season in Alaska officially begins April 1 each year. And while snow remains in some areas, the forest that surrounds our homes and cities is a dry tinderbox of fuel.

The season’s first red flag warning came Thursday morning, and with it the suspension of all burn permits.

The emergency band scanner was busy throughout the afternoon with calls to respond to columns of smoke. Some people were cited for burning in violation of their permits. When in doubt about a day’s conditions, we suggest calling the number on your permit and asking if it’s OK to light up.

You can read the rules for burning or get a permit online at forestry.alaska.gov/burn.

“The Farmer’s Almanac” says this will be a hot, dry summer for the Pacific Northwest, while forecasting wet summers for other places such as Florida.

Only time will tell for sure whether the weather repeats the rainy summer of 2008 or whether we have a more moderate mix of rain and sunshine.

This weekend’s forecast calls for clouds to move in with isolated rain showers Saturday and highs in the upper 40s to mid 50s. More rain showers could come Saturday night.

Sunday, we’re scheduled for a break; mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow. Snow!

The rain showers are forecasted to continue Monday and into Tuesday, with another chance of snow Tuesday night

A little rain mixed with snow — we’re fine with that. Rain this time of year helps melt the snow and reduces the risk of forest fire.

Pretty much anything beats experiencing our community ablaze again and thousands evacuated to safer environs. Here’s hoping for an easy summer for fire crews and the rest of us.