KFS Fire Forecast

Fuels: Precipitation over the weekend has created a complex fire environment. Spotty heavier rains in western Kansas, especially in the northwest have provided an end to ~80 days without wetting moisture. Other areas such as southwest Kansas and stretching northeastward into Ellis/Trego/Russell Co did not measure significant moisture in this event. Fuels in these regions will reach critical levels with ERCs hitting the 80th %-tile and BIs pushing the 99th %-tile. This is where most extreme fire behavior is possible through the period. However, areas out side of this region in central and northwest Kansas will observe rapid drying of fuels as well. While not forecasted to reach critical levels, fine fuels will become conducive to carry fire, especially into Wed/Thurs. Decreased overnight humidity recovery will expand burn periods, especially on Mon through Thurs and fire behavior may only slightly moderate.   Statewide Preparedness Level:     Forecast: Monday, Februar...

Fuels: Continued warmer than normal condition temperatures are pushing fuels toward drier conditions with increases in drought, 1000 hour fuels and KBDI over the last few days. Additionally, ERC percentiles continue to slowly climb across the state, bringing the environment in better alignment with cured (and heavy loading) of fine fuels. The biggest caveat of the forecast will be the impact of weekend moisture. Currently, improvements are expected only briefly expected in fine fuels with some lingering moisture in timber/shaded regions. Otherwise, the landscape (especially in southwest Kansas were less moisture falls and northwest Kansas where more prolonged drought is developing) will be conducive to extreme fire behavior when fire weather conditions align next week. With rapid drying and poor humidity recovery overnights, fuels will become increasingly volatile throught he period, peaking by Thursday. Anticipated extended burn periods and fires to be more resistant to suppression as...

Fuels: Drying trend continues with longer term fuels beginning to cure as we become further distanced from the recent snow/precipitation events. As a result, the fire environment is becoming more supportive of large fire activity statewide. BIs are expected to peak this period on Monday with values exceeding the 90th percentile in southwest Kansas. Meanwhile, ERCs are trending upwards, reaching the 50th percentile for western Kansas. The western 1/3rd of the state will see less barrier to spread in tree lines, etc and extreme fire behavior in areas with heavier fuel loading than normal. While the landscape isn't as aligned for central/east Kansas with lower ERCs, fine fuels will be the primary carrier to fire spread with timber areas still being unsupportive of carrying fire effectively. Some precipitation is possible Friday/Saturday with focus in the southeast. Depending on coverage/amount, this may check up the environment some before the next potential fire weather event early n...

Fuels: Lingering snow pack/melt and cooler than normal conditions have positively modified fuels across the region this week. The only exception is far west/northwest Kansas that received little moisture and is now over 70 days without wetting moisture. This area will be the focus for enhanced drying associated with warmer than normal temperatures and downslope conditions the next week. Fine and heavy fuels will be conducive to fire spread and there are few barriers to spread on the landscape. With eastward extent, while fine fuels will become more available with snow melt, timber areas and heavier fuels will hold moisture until a more prolonged dry spell becomes established. This will allow more barriers to spread and high suppression success.  Statewide Preparedness Level:     Forecast: Monday, February 2nd Breezy northerly winds with gusts to 30mph expected across the snow free regions of western Kansas. Temperatures will remain warm, in the upper 50s, with humidity fa...

Fuels: To start the week, snow cover exists across all of the state. Snow will gradually begin melting from northwest to southeast through the period. The amount that melts will be mostly limited to the far west and north. These areas may see some periodic fuels availability in fine fuels and some potential for fire activity when atmospheric conditions exist. However, overall fire behavior is expected to limited during this period. Heavier, 1000 hr fuels still remain fairly dry and this is a trend that will result in hold-over heat and has potential impact on timber areas carrying fire when conditions begin to dry out.  Statewide Preparedness Level:     Forecast: Monday, January 26th Winds turn southwest and increase with gusts to 25mph in the afternoon. Temperatures will rebound into the 20s as a result. Lingering snow will keep humidity up and no fire weather concerns.        Tuesday, January 27th Weak cold front crosses the region in the early morni...

Fuels: Despite cooler conditions recently, very dry air is slowly starting to dry out 1000 hour fuels. As a result, the landscape is gradually becoming more conducive to fire that will burn more intensely and hold heat in heavier fuels that were once barriers. Snow cover in the southwest (and across much of the state by late in the period) will reverse this trend slightly with increased barriers to fire spread and mitigate overall fire potential in the region. Before this weekend's snow however, burn periods will be extended due to only moderate humidity recovery and breezy winds associated with frontal passages. The nature of the expected snow should be powdery and light. This will likely not have a significant impact on fuels alignment. Statewide Preparedness Level:     Forecast: Tuesday, January 20th Elevated fire weather for central and eastern Kansas.    Breezy southwest winds, up to 30mph are expected for all but the far northwest. This will overlap a dry air m...