Four Seasons of North Idaho

Here in North Idaho the four seasons are not what you traditionally expect; we may call them by their formal names of winter, spring, summer and fall/autumn but we locals all know them by their common names. We have a snow season followed by a frigid & icy season. This quickly gives way to rain & mud season and finally the road construction & fire season.

It is true that a forest fire may be considered beneficial because they promote regrowth and control pathogens; it also releases carbon and air borne particles into the atmosphere. Air pollution affects water, soil and leads to deforestation. Fires threaten or consume homes, lives and precious resources. The native wildlife is scrambling to outrun the flames and still locate water, food, shelter, all while trying to identify where the predators are located.

While we humans have no control over the weather or road conditions and we cannot predict lightning strikes, we can and must accept responsibilities for our actions during these dry hot days. Please remember that the human caused fires have started from fireworks, slash piles, cigarettes, sparks from trailer chains, parking or driving hot cars in tall grass, chainsaws, improperly extinguished camp fires, & arson. Under the right conditions, even expended shell casings from target practice can spark a blaze.    

So far, this year, we have been fortunate and our human neighbors have been paying attention to their actions. In recent years, the forest fires have been right in our back yards – burning on all sides – barely contained. The smoke so thick many become house bound for weeks, the sun at full midday height barely illuminating the sky. Various reputable sourced surveys report that there has been a change in the fire seasons: there have been more fires, larger complex fires, and longer seasons.

By paying attention to our actions (and those of our neighbors) we can make sure that our wild native neighbors do not suffer. The temperate forest foundation reports that 88% of fires annually are caused by humans through careless acts or arson. While no less devastating, natural causes amount to only 12 %.

Please be a good neighbor to our wild native neighbors. Their very survival is reliant upon us to be good stewards. If you find a wild animal in distress please contact your professional wildlife rehabilitation facility as soon as possible. Call American Heritage Wildlife Foundation volunteers at 208.266.1488.