"The blazes come after a record dry winter in the region. “Year to date, we've had close to 300 wildfires statewide,” a Wisconsin official said. “The normal year-to-date 10-year average is about 40 fires.”"
"The Midwest received some much needed moisture this week following an especially hot and dry winter that hamstrung outdoor recreation and sparked an early spring wildfire season in several states.
Parts of the Midwest saw as much as 24 inches of snow and rain by Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The powerful storm, which worked its way west from New England, caused mayhem on the roads and temporarily knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of people.
Still, the precipitation is unlikely to break the dry spell that has overtaken most of the Midwest, officials say, with some states already battling hundreds of fires even before the official start of spring last week. The dry conditions and overall lack of snow cover, they say, now threatens to extend the region’s spring wildfire season well into the end of the year."
Kristoffer Tigue reports for Inside Climate News March 28, 2024.
SEE ALSO:
"Forest Fires Spread In Mexico, At Least Four Dead" (Reuters)
Advertisement 
