As Americans prepare to celebrate the country’s independence by igniting colorful explosives, the Department of Natural Resources is preparing for a long fire season thanks to low rainfall this year.

“It’s a real concern that this year we’re not going to have as much precipitation,” said Greg Sinnett, chief meteorologist for the Department of Natural Resources.

The Seattle area experienced an unusual 29 days of no rain and that there is an El Niño-like weather system that should hit the area this summer. Both have set up the Pacific Northwest for an earlier wildfire season.

Sinnett said the grass is already dry, making it vulnerable to a lightning strike or stray firecracker.

“Once the real heating kicks in and we get into the higher temperatures, we’re going to be in the middle of the fire season right away,” Sinnett said. “We’ll probably have a little bit longer fire season than normal. That could also be a problem since we have a lack of resources right now.”

Sinnett said 30 to 50 firefighting crews will be “prepositioned” near the highest risk areas as soon as temperatures rise.

Some local communities have already upped efforts to prevent a major wildfire.

DNR fire protection coordinator Rich Dodd and the Skagit Conservation District worked together to reduce natural fuels between Darrington and Rockport in preparation for the fire season through a $10,000 federal grant.

Dodd said his crew cleaned up a very dry area near Highway 530 to reduce fire risk earlier this year. Crews mowed dry grasses, removed loose, dead wood and trimmed branches from tall trees to avoid a “ladder effect” that would otherwise allow flames to reach the crest of the trees.

Dodd said this is the first such project in the area, known as the Fire Wise Program, and opens the community up to federal dollars to help other landowners with similar fire fuel problems.

“We’re hoping to get more people involved and get more people in this program,” Dodd said. “If this can help to get people’s thoughts going on how we can get money to get the work done, that’s what we want to do.”

Sinnett said the dry season means that people celebrating the Fourth of July this year need to be even more careful. Avoid grassy areas and plant life while using fireworks, he said.

Most cities in Skagit County restrict fireworks in some form.

Anacortes and Burlington do not allow fireworks of any kind. Mount Vernon, La Conner and Sedro-Woolley allow nonaerial fireworks, but only at limited times. Aerial fireworks are allowed in unincorporated areas and some tribal reservations, but also may be limited to certain dates and times of the day.

• Aaron Burkhalter can be reached at 360-416-2141 or .