10A | JUNE 17, 2021 |
FIRE
from A1
rologist.”
Much of the study
is based on data from
NOAA’s National Centers
for Environmental In-
formation, which shows
a marked rise in average
summer high temperatures
between 1991 and 2020. In
the long term, annual aver-
age temperature trends in
the region have also seen
a gradual increase between
1895 and 2020.
Borgioli also pointed to
an increase in dryness.
Though drought record-
ings in Oregon dating back
to 1895 show that swings
between dry and wet peri-
ods are frequent, March 1
through May 31 this year
marked the driest meteo-
rological spring on record.
Over the past 45 years,
said Borgioli, many areas
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL
have had increases in the
average time without pre-
cipitation events, which
means not only drier sum-
mers, but during the other
seasons as well. Precipita-
tion events themselves are
also becoming more var-
ied.
The global temperature
for May 2021 tied with
2018 as the sixth highest
for the month of May in
the 142-year NOAA re-
cord, which dates back to
1880.
Every 10 years, NOAA’s
“30-year Climate Normals”
are updated. The most re-
cent update occurred on
May 4, 2021, to cover the
period of 1991 through
2020. The trends show
warmer temperatures and
changes in precipitation
patterns.
Eugene, for example, saw
5.27 inches less rainfall in
the new climate normal
period.
The city’s period of 1981-
2010 saw 46.10 inches of
rainfall, but for the updat-
ed period of 1991-2020,
the new Normal Annual
Precipitation was at 40.83
inches.
Nationally, the South-
west is trending toward
longer and more frequent
droughts and the trend has
crept up into parts of Ore-
gon as well.
Borgioli pointed to more
episodes of strong, per-
sistent, high pressure in
the Pacific Ocean which
“blocks” storms as part of
the reason for some loss of
annual precipitation.
“Increased
variability
and overall lower precipi-
tation has strong influence
on agriculture, vegetation
and wildfires,” said Borgio-
li. “Increased time between
precipitation events has a
large impact on wildfires
and also affects soil, live-
stock, vegetation and wild-
life.”
Borgioli pointed out
that the changes in climate
are due to various influ-
ences.
“We are seeing chang-
es in the climate, some of
which appear to be influ-
enced by man – green-
house gases trapping heat
and causing a slightly
warmer
environment,”
he said. “Basically, green-
house gases act to prevent
more radiation from leav-
ing Earth at night. This
means the incoming solar
radiation (sunshine) has
less net escape during the
night due to these gases
acting like a ‘blanket.’ The
end result is more overall
heat.”
Natural
phenomena
have had an effect this year
as well. The relatively weak
turnout this last season
of the climate pattern La
Nina, for example, impact-
ed the lack of precipitation
this year while a stronger
presence may have meant a
wetter period.
Ultimately, the overall
trends point to higher fire
risks.
“Summers are getting
warmer and thus this af-
fects wildfire behavior,”
said Borgioli.
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Tuesday, June 15 was the
final day for outdoor burn-
ing for most Lane County
residents until October.
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yard debris may not be
burned, however LRA-
PA noted that removing
overgrown vegetation is
important work to defend
against wildfires.
Lane Forest Products,
Rexius, or Lane Coun-
ty’s transfer stations and
dumpsites are resources
available to the community
to dispose of debris. Com-
posting and chipping are
also encouraged.
Residents who burn
during the closed season
are subject to violations
ranging from $50 to $2,500
or more.
The Lane County Fire
Defense Board will decide
100 00
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