Currently— March 30th 2022

What you need to know, currently.

 Tue 3/29: There is an Extremely Critical fire weather risk across portions of the OK/TX Panhandles into southwest KS today. Westerly winds 30-45 mph gusting to 70 mph will combine with low RH and critically dry fuels to support rapid fire spread should ignitions occur. pic.twitter.com/tuq4qgiB3n— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) March 29, 2022 

Over the weekend a western heatwave brought record-breaking warmth to many states and cities. The heat, and strong winds also fueled a fire in Colorado, which forced around 19,000 people to evacuate. As of Tuesday morning, the fire is 80 percent contained and almost all evacuation orders are lifted.

It seems however that our early fire season (or more like, year long fire season) isn’t done with the Unites States just yet. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the South is under threat of wildfire weather. Parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas now experiencing extreme fire weather risks, including very strong winds combined with dry air and brush.

The ongoing drought in the West, the High Planes, and South— so most of the continental United States— is likely going to make 2022 another dangerous one for wildfires. Scientists say that almost half of the droughts severity can be attributed to climate change. — Abbie Veitch