Heavy snowfall could help come wildfire season - KWCH

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) The snow may be causing some headaches for Kansans but it is helping the environment as we move further into wildfire season.

Keri Korthals, who is the Director of Emergency Management in Butler County, says she has been watching the heavy amounts of snowfall across the state.

Korthals says the snow and the moisture it brings could help come wildfire season.

The snow, combined with cold temperatures keeps fields and grassland wet. She says it also creates a smaller window of dry conditions when wildfires are most likely to start.

Kansas has seen some of its most damaging wildfires in the past few years, Korthals hopes the snow will help this season.

"The more snow that we can get that creates a snow pack, the more dead fuel that actually gets smashed down into the ground and if it is not up and waving around where it can get really dried out, that actually helps us make it through that burning season with a little less risk," Korthals said.

According to Korthals, western Kansas will benefit most from the snow because of the amounts this week.

"We've gotten some moisture now, but knowing Kansas, that could change, Korthals said. "So we could get wetter or we could get dryer, so we're really trying to see what comes next."

Korthals says they can't predict how wildfire season will unfold because Kansas weather is unpredictable. There are a number of factors that help determine conditions for the season.

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