This Year Could Be the Worst Fire Season We’ve Ever Seen

This year could be one of the worst fire seasons we’ve seen—and the warning signs are already here. Low snowpack, dry ground, and early runoff are setting the stage for a long, dangerous summer across the West. On the homestead, that means one thing: get ahead of it now or pay for it later. In today’s video, I start the first flood irrigation of the season using a centuries-old system—no pumps, no electricity—just gravity and good water management. This isn’t just about green grass. It’s about protecting the land, the trees, and everything we’ve built here. We also: Check the damage from winter flooding and high river water Assess which trees survived and which need help Walk through how flood irrigation actually works Talk about why low snowpack is a serious problem this year Share practical steps to keep land green and reduce fire risk When things dry out, fire follows. This is how we prepare for it. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:05 – Back from Moab: everything has changed 0:17 – Starting flood irrigation (no pumps, no power) 1:23 – Low snowpack and fire season concerns 2:01 – Headgates and how water is controlled 3:34 – Water moving across the land 5:16 – Redirecting flow to the tiny forest 6:45 – Racing the water to set the gate 8:56 – Pro tip: never waste a trip 10:46 – Water hits the dam (does it hold?) 11:16 – Replanting and restoring the forest 15:00 – Flood damage and survival of the trees 20:08 – Healthy growth and what’s working 22:20 – Why irrigation matters before summer hits wildfire season 2026, drought conditions west, low snowpack, fire season preparation, homestead irrigation, flood irrigation, water management, off grid water system, land stewardship, wildfire prevention, western drought, rural living, self reliance #wildfire #drought #homestead #preparedness #offgrid #selfreliance #water #pnw #fireseason