While the threat posed by the Sawmill Fire is over, wildfire season is far from over. Officials are still expecting a busy fire season at the Coronado National Forest.
There have been 16 wildfires there so far this year, 15 of them were human caused. A total of 800 acres have burned so far this year. Those numbers are high and unnecessary, and officials are expecting things to get even worse.
Wildfire season used to be considered during hotter summer months. However, there have been wildfires every month since January of last year, experts say.
Wildfire season has become a year-round because of warm temperatures and the number of human-caused fires. The potential may be higher on weekends can be more vulnerable and dangerous as temperatures get warmer, experts predict.
"There are more people out on the weekends so the potential may be higher, it just depends on where and when those sparks are created," Heidi Schewel, a spokesperson for the Coronado National Forest said.
Officials are now urging people to do their part to try and prevent wildfires.
Here's what you can do:
- Never leave a fire unattended
- Avoid spilling flammable liquids and store fuel away from appliances
- Completely extinguish cigarettes before disposing of them
- Contact 911, your local fire department, or the park service if you notice an unattended or out-of-control fire.
