by Lori Tipton
Monday, March 22, 2010
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Meteorologists with the National Weather Service say that a lack of snow this winter in Fairbanks does not mean the area will be more susceptible to wildfires this summer.
Last summer, nearly 3 million acres burned after a winter with more than 70 inches of snow.
This winter, Fairbanks has received less than 25 inches of snow, setting a record for the least amount since 1904.
Meteorologists say studies show there is no relationship between winter snowpack and summer fire danger in the boreal forests of Alaska and Canada.
Instead, they say, summer weather will dictate the 2010 wildfire season.
Contact Lori Tipton at ltipton@ktuu.com
