Nevada could see a longer, more dangerous and more expensive wildfire season following the state’s warmest winter on record, according to experts. This year’s winter has depleted the Southwestern snowpack, increasing the likelihood of wildfires in many areas and making for a potentially longer peak wildfire season, experts said. “That time release from the snowpack slowly through the summer season keeps soils wet and vegetation green,” said Neil Lareau, a wildfire researcher and an assistant professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Reno. “When we lose the snow really early or never develop that deep winter snow pack, things start drying out a whole lot sooner,” Lareau told The Center Square. 

Other water and wildfire news:

• UC Davis: Blog: Wildfire-driven deforestation rates in California among highest in world
• UC Irvine: Blog: Water, warming and a world at risk
• Post Independent (Glenwood Springs, Colo.): Final event in Middle Colorado Watershed Council’s Fire and Water Speaker Series, ‘Firewise Futures,’ comes to Rifle’s Ute Theater