Wildfire season upon us

Thursday, May 22, 2008 | 2:06 a.m.

Hikers, campers, off-roaders and sightseers will be out in the woods and meadows in even greater numbers this weekend as Memorial Day is celebrated.

This means there will be an even greater chance of wildfires, unless everyone exercises extreme caution.

All it takes is one unattended campfire, one tossed cigarette butt, or one firecracker to destroy thousands of once-scenic acres that were home to diverse wildlife.

Wildfires also destroy people’s homes and sometimes threaten their lives. It takes just moments for them to spread, but it can take days or even weeks to get them under control — risking the safety of firefighters all the while.

The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, reports that last year more than 775 wildfires in Nevada blackened about 895,000 acres. It was even worse in 2006, when wildfires charred 1.6 million acres in Nevada.

Because our drought conditions persist, the fire center predicts that the potential for wildfires in Southern Nevada from now through August will be above normal.

The Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nevada Forestry Division all posted fire restrictions on public lands last week, as fire season does not wait for summer anymore. The first big Las Vegas-area wildfire of the season broke out early Wednesday morning on Mount Potosi, and firefighters said it was “definitely human-caused.”

We must accept wildfires caused by lightning, which many scientists say are good in the long run for forests and other wildlands, as stumps and downed trees provide habitat for animals and the cleared areas allow for new growth.

Wildfires started by people, however, either through carelessness or intentionally destructive acts, are never good. Yet these are the causes of most wildfires.

We believe everyone should take a moment to think about the dangers of wildfires before heading into open or forested areas. And, by all means, everyone should abide by the posted fire restrictions.

Remember what Smokey says: “Only you ...”