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Potter County official warns of severe drought and rising wildfire risk
Summary
County staff reported the county is about 5 inches short of normal rainfall, with most of Potter County in severe drought and a portion in extreme drought, and warned the drought index could reach levels that sharply increase wildfire starts.
Mary (last name not provided) told the Potter County court that the county is "behind on annual total rainfall by approximately 5 inches" and that "88% of Potter County is in severe drought" with the remainder in extreme drought in the southeastern corner. She said recent rain reduced the drought index to about 485 but warned it could trend to 600, a level associated with heightened wildfire starts.
The official framed the burn ban as a preventive step to protect residents and emergency responders and stressed the importance of residents avoiding high-risk behavior, including the use of fireworks, while conditions remain dry.
