We love campfires. We also like forests not burning down.
So this time of year, we watch the fire maps closely.
And with Memorial Day Weekend coming, the latest outlook grabbed our attention.
As of mid-May, the National Interagency Fire Center already reported more than 26,000 wildfires and 1.9 million acres burned in the U.S. year-to-date.
That’s running way ahead of the recent average for this point in the season.
Does that mean the whole country is screwed? Nope.
Does it mean this season is already getting sporty? Yep.
Here’s what we’re watching.
1. THE WEST IS DRYING OUT FAST
Snowpack is basically summer water storage.
When it comes in weak, or disappears early, everything gets drier faster.
Grass cures sooner. Timber dries out deeper. Restrictions show up earlier.
The folks at NIFC Predictive Services are already flagging above-normal fire potential building across the West, including areas of the Southwest, northern California, the Great Basin, the Northwest, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho.
That’s not great.
2. DROUGHT IS STILL VERY MUCH A THING
Since our last report, some places got relief.
A lot didn’t.
NOAA’s latest seasonal drought outlook still shows drought sticking around, or developing further, across big parts of the West.
That’s an ugly combo: Low snow.
Dry ground.
Hot months ahead.
In a lot of places, that takes you from “camping season,” to, “sorry, no wood fires.”
3. THIS ISN’T JUST A WESTERN PROBLEM
Fire season doesn’t move the same way everywhere.
Some places burn early.
Some places burn late. Some places wait until folks get comfortable.
Then they fire off.
Florida and Georgia have already had wildfires. And the NIFC report shows parts of the Gulf Coast with elevated risk as summer comes on.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Pay attention to burn bans.
Especially this weekend.
Before you load up the truck, hook up the camper, or head for the woods, check the rules for the land you’re actually visiting.
State or National Park burn bans: search “[Park name] burn ban”
And don’t stop at the headline.
Know the difference between a wood-fire ban and rules that still allow gas-fueled appliances. They’re not always the same thing.
Sometimes propane fires are allowed when wood’s banned. Sometimes they’re not.
Don’t assume.
Don’t guess.
Don’t be saying, “I thought it was fine,” while the ranger writes your citation.
WHY HOWL EXISTS
We built this company because we lovecampfires.
And because your choice shouldn’t have to be:
a) be cold
or b) gamble with the forest
HOWL doesn’t solve wildfire season.
It just gives responsible folks a way when wood’s a bad idea.
That’s the reason we exist:
To keep the forest and the fire alive.
Keep carrying the fire, – Randall, Alex, Kelly, and Nicholas
(the founders)
P.S. If you want a HOWL for fire season, don’t wait until the burn-ban headlines hit. That’s when everyone else has the same idea and lead times get long.
