1. 2010 Preliminary NWCC fire season assessment

2. SNOWPACK BASINS PERCENTAGE OF NORMAL

4. WESTWIDE SNOWPACK BASINS PERCENTAGE OF NORMAL

5. PRECIPITATION TOTAL SINCE OCT 1 PERCENT OF NORMAL

6. APRIL TEMPS Start cool APRIL PRECIP Starts wet

7. Currently, a moderate EL Nino pattern is expected to slowly decrease through mid summer.

8. El Nino index to weaken a bit through June Observed Forecasted

9. Jun-Aug TEMPS Jun-Aug PRECIP

10. Most El Nino winters are followed by a dry spring. This would portend earlier snow melt and fuel availability. Highly responsive fine fuels available over wider area. Fire season begins up to 2 weeks earlier than usual. Most noticeable on the west side. Thus, longer than typical fire season in 2010.

11. El Nino not a good indicator of fire season weather patterns in the PACNW. Number and intensity of lightning episodes drives fire activity.