In brief: Area snowfall far below normal

Virtually no measureable snow accumulated in the mountains of Washington and Idaho last month, except for a light dusting in a few areas above 4,000 feet.

Precipitation was near normal for February, but most of it fell as rain since temperatures were 4 to 10 degrees warmer than normal, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

About 27 percent of the agency’s snow monitoring sites in the mountains were at or near record lows for March 1.

Short-term forecasts are calling for rain, with weather forecasters predicting warm and dry weather for the next several months, said Scott Pattee, the agency’s water supply specialist.

“A continuation of current conditions will most certainly drive our snowpack into a deeper depression,” he said.

In the Northwest, melting snowpack provides water for fish, irrigation, power generation and drinking water. February stream flows were above normal due to the heavy rains and snowmelt.

Some reservoir operators are storing water because of the low snowpack, Pattee said.

The Spokane River basin and the Idaho Panhandle are about 84 percent of normal for precipitation, but the snowpack is about 47 percent of normal.

Public help sought in school fire

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is asking for information on a fire set in a bathroom at Harrison Junior High School last month.

The fire was reported just after noon on Feb. 4. Students were evacuated because of the heavy smoke and then sent home for the day. Deputies have been investigating, but have been unable to identify a suspect.

Crime Stoppers of the Inland Northwest is offering a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case. People can call (800) 222-TIPS or visit www.crimestoppers inlandnorthwest.org to submit information. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Let us know about your summer camp

If you run a day camp, a church camp, an overnight camp or other kind of camp, The Spokesman-Review wants to help you spread the word.

The Spokesman-Review plans to publish its annual summer camp directory May 6. This year, in addition to the camp directory, we will include fun activities for families.

Looking for a fun road trip once the weather – and the water – starts warming up? Need ideas for a fun stay-cation? Or want some info on cool lesser-known destinations? We’ll include all of these and then some.

To accommodate the new content, we are limiting camp information to camp name, location, dates, cost, age range, and a short description (50 words or less). Please include contact information for the public to use, such as a phone number, email or website. Camp information can be submitted by email to summercamps@ spokesman.com or online at www.spokesman.com/ summercamps-form/. Submissions received after April 6, will be included in the online directory but can’t be guaranteed for the print edition. The online list will be available at www.spokesman.com all spring and summer.