Normal fire year predicted in eastern Idaho

Wildfire activity on public land is expected to increase across parts of the nation in April.

According to the center, elevated fire potential exists across portions of eastern Montana where there are very dry residual soil conditions.

July marks the beginning of the core of the western fire season. With a below-average mountain snowpack stretching from Oregon south to the border, fire conditions are expected to worsen in higher elevations by the end of July.

Normal wildland fire potential is predicted for the Northern Rockies, although above normal fire potential is expected in northern Idaho from the Continental Divide west.

Weak La Nina conditions are forecast to persist through the rest of the spring and all summer. This will result in a tendency for near to below average temperatures and near to above average precipitation over the west, especially early in the season.