Indiana weather, nature conditions are just right for forest fires, devastating burns
Given the current tinder-dry conditions, now isn't a good time for brush burning or campfire building in southern Indiana.
This past Thursday's red-flag warning issued by the National Weather Service outlined a mix of dangerous conditions that could result in fires spreading out of control, fast.
Warning came on heels of Hardin Ridge fire
On Wednesday afternoon, the day before the red-flag alert, firefighters extinguished a brush fire on Hardin Ridge Road in the Hoosier National Forest that burned two acres.
Someone had left a burn pile in a backyard unattended around 2 p.m., and the fire spread quickly.
Firefighters could see a column of smoke across Lake Monroe as they rushed to the scene. The fire was burning out of control when they arrived, approaching several homes and boats, according to a news release from Monroe Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Jason Allen.
Firefighters from northern Lawrence County joined the ones from Monroe County to put out the fire. It was behind two houses and being blown by the wind down a hill and towards another property, Allen said.
They used leaf blowers, hand tools and a utility terrain vehicle to create a fire line to contain the blaze. A firefighter on a UTV was injured and taken to the hospital when the vehicle rolled down a hill.
Fallen leaves provide fuel for fires
The fire danger has lessened some in recent days, but still exists. People need to be cautious.
While south-central Indiana may not be as susceptible to forest fires as other parts of the nation, the danger is real and increases as the planet warms.
State Fire Supervisor Darren Bridges, stationed at Morgan-Monroe State Forest, said weather conditions spark red flag alerts.
If those conditions continue, the fire could intensify even more after leaves fall from the trees in late autumn, usually the two weeks after Halloween.
"I'd say the fire risk is moderate to high, but the oak leaves haven't fallen," he said on Friday. "If it stays this dry, we will have a different scenario with a higher fire danger. We'll have the fuel factor."
He explained that other deciduous tree leaves fall earlier and retain moisture; they're flexible, he said, not so flammable.
"Oak leaves, though, they're dry. You can crumble them in your hand. That's what burns in forest fires around here. There's two weeks in the fall where we have to watch for active fires because of it."
He said a fire at the intersection of two roads in the state forest burned about eight acres last fall.
In April 2018, a fire that broke out in a rugged backwoods area off Low Gap Road in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest destroyed seven acres before being brought under control.
Hikers reported the fire on a Sunday morning. Because of the remote location, firefighters weren't able to get to the fire on four-wheelers, so they had to hike a mile and a half to the site with their equipment.
They battled changing wind directions throughout the day that blew embers that ignited spot fires in every direction.
A fire like this can't be compared to the blazes that burn thousands of acres in western states such as California and Colorado. But the potential for more widespread wildfires here increases with extended dry conditions.
Red flag warnings issued recently
The Oct. 20 red-flag warning for central Indiana was in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Low humidity, temperatures in the 50s, southwest winds gusting to 30 mph combined with a recent lack of rain to create "critical fire weather conditions."
The warning to citizens was ominous: "Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly."
The U.S. Forest Service's Smokey Bear mascot has a fire-rating scale that goes from low to moderate to high to very high to extreme. On Thursday, the indicator inched into the red extreme zone.
It's gone down to "high" and even "moderate" in recent days, which means the threat of fires spreading continues, but is not as dire.
Heed this warning from the National Weather Service: "A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior."
And, Smokey Bear says, don't throw cigarettes out of car windows. It's a careless act that ignites fires that spread from roadsides into wooded areas.
Most forest fires started by people
Marion Mason is a public affairs specialist at the Hoosier National Forest. She noted that 80% of wildfires are not caused by lightning strikes, but are "human started."
And because of the current long stretch of dry and windy conditions, she said people need to be especially careful.
Fire restriction vary by county, so Mason suggests checking a list of burn bans and conditions at: www.in,gov/dhs/burnban/
On Friday afternoon, 22 Indiana counties, most in the very southern part of the state, had burn bans in effect.
"Until we get some rain and these conditions change, don't use a fire unless you absolutley have to. Know the restrictions where you are," she said. "You can have a camping trip without a fire. There's still the stars to view, and you can use a camp stove for cooking. Why take the risk?"
Any campfire must be attended, and completely extinguished, Mason said. "You should be able to hold your hand over it and feel no heat."
Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana forest fires: Experts warn that conditions are just right
