Extra Inch of Rain Eases Fire Danger

LAKELAND | Rainfall was above average in January, but it was not nearly enough to ease the impact of drought.

Groundwater tables, lake levels and stream flow all remain well below where they should be at this time of year.

According to the Southwest Florida Water Management District, lakes on the Lake Wales Ridge are down an average of four feet for this time of year and other lakes in Polk County are down an average of almost two feet.

The Winter Haven Chain of Lakes stood at 128.86 Friday, up slightly from 128.78 at the end of December but still about 2 feet below what it normally is this time of year.

Groundwater levels are at the extreme low end of what is considered to be the normal range.

The Peace River at Bartow is hardly flowing, although it's up slightly from November and December levels.

The gauge at Bartow showed river depth at 3.64 feet on Friday, compared to 3.18 feet at the end of November while current flow is at 14 cubic feet per second. The average this time of year is 165 cfs.

At Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, 3.5 inches of rain was received in January, compared to a historic average for January of 2.45 inches.

The central region of Swiftmud, which includes most of Polk County, recorded an average of 4.15 inches of rain for the month. But for all of 2007, rainfall averaged 41.44 inches in the region, more than 10 inches below the historic average of 52.56.

The Florida Division of Forestry reported rainfall for January ranging from 1.95 inches in Dundee to 5 inches in the Green Swamp.

The rainfall in Lakeland set no records, either high or low.

The wettest January ever recorded in Lakeland was 1993, with 8.66 inches. The driest came in 1949 with 0.02 inches.

January's rainfall was enough to ease the danger of wildfires.

The Keetch Byrom Drought Index, which ranges from a soggy zero to a bone-dry 800, now averages 380 in Polk County. The index had approached 600 in December. Firefighters expect problems any time it exceeds the 400 level.

The extra rain was "a wonderful thing," said Division of Forestry spokeswoman Chris Kitner. "The weather has definitely contributed to less fires than expected."

Kitner said only minor wildfires have been reported in the last week or two.

Kitner noted that things can dry out quickly, adding that whether the fire danger remains down will depend on the timing of rainfall, which is generally associated with fronts at this time of year.

Mike Clay, a meteorologist with Bay News 9, said the next chance of rainfall will be Wednesday, but so far it does not look like a major event.

In the meantime, residents can expect some Chamber of Commerce-type weather for the weekend.

Temperatures in January ranged from a low of 26 degrees on Jan. 3 to a high of 83 degrees on Jan. 12.

[ Bill Bair can be reached at bill.bair@theledger.com or 863-676-7118. ]