Hey Everyone,
I was out on a recent hike and honestly didn’t recognize the trail at first. What’s usually dry, brown, and rocky is now green from the ground all the way up to the saguaros. It’s a beautiful reminder of how much rain we’ve had this winter. Had to take a picture!
As Arizona residents, though, it’s natural to wonder what this means for summer and fire season. Interestingly, research shows that wet winters can sometimes increase wildfire risk later — not immediately, but months down the road. All that new grass and plant growth eventually dries out and becomes fine fuel that helps fires spread quickly, especially in desert and grassland areas. Studies from the Arizona Water Resources Research Center and the Desert Research Institute note that years with heavy winter rain followed by hot, dry conditions can be especially problematic.
By contrast, a dry winter leaves vegetation dry from the start, which can lead to earlier ignition — but often with less fast-spreading fuel than after a lush growing season.
For now, we’ll enjoy this rare burst of green and keep an eye on how the season unfolds.
Have a great weekend!
Dr Ring