(Concord, NH) – Due to a relatively snow-free winter combined with abnormally warm temperatures, New Hampshire is already seeing elevated wildfire danger across a large part of the Granite State’s woodlands, almost a month before normal. “We typically still have snow cover and cold temperatures across much of the state in mid-March, but this year we are seeing conditions more typical of mid-April” states Brad Simpkins, Interim Director of the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, the state agency responsible for protecting forests from wildfire. Officials report that bare ground conditions this year have already led to several brush fires as early as February. As this warm, dry weather pattern continues, brush fires can be expected to become more numerous. The state started taking precautions as early as last week by getting the fire towers ready to be staffed and bringing on the seasonal fire patrols several weeks earlier… Continue reading →