It’s only August, but already the U.S. wildfire season has burned more than 4.4 million acres, up a staggering 278% from last year, the National Interagency Fire Center reported Thursday.
Fueled by record high temperatures, including prolonged heat waves that have left many parts of the West with bone-dry vegetation, firefighters were battling 93 large active wildfires on Thursday in 13 states, including 28 fires that have prompted evacuations, according to the fire center.
With precipitation in the West below normal for July, some of the largest fires in U.S. history have ignited, especially in California and Oregon where a combined 44 fires were burning on Thursday, according to the fire center.
Andrea Blaylock becomes emotional as she sifts through the charred remains of her home that was destroyed in the Park Fire near Forest Ranch, Calif., July 30, 2024.
Nic Coury/AP
“Warming temperatures, drier conditions, and shifts in precipitation are contributing to an increase in the frequency of large wildfires and acres of land burned in the U.S. each year,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
A prime example is the Park Fire in Northern California, which was deliberately set on July 24 and rapidly spread through dry vegetation to become the largest active fire in the nation and the fifth-largest wildland blaze in California history.
“Year-to-date annual acres burned for the U.S. is above the 10-year average at 123% of normal,” according to a statement from the National Interagency Fire Center.
The fire center added, “In comparison to the outlook issued a month ago, larger areas of the West are expected to experience above normal significant fire potential in August and September.”
And just because most of the wildfire activity is happening in the West, that doesn’t mean the rest of the country is immune from the effects.
“Western wildfires account for about half of the smoke that the rest of the contiguous U.S. experiences each year,” according to Climate Central, an independent group of scientists that researches climate change.
The average number of heat waves major U.S. cities experience each year has doubled since the 1980s, according to the federal government’s Fifth National Climate Assessment. In the United States, summer minimum nighttime temperatures are warming nearly twice as fast as summer maximum daytime temperatures, according to Climate Central.
No state has experienced a worse wildfire season than California. The number of acres consumed by flames in the Golden State as of Thursday is 768,137, an increase of 2,905% from 2023, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The 4,696 wildfires that have erupted in the state this year have destroyed more than 700 structures, including homes and commercial property, according to Cal Fire.
Here are some of the largest fires burning in the West:
The Park Fire in California
Firefighters battling the Park Fire in Northern California, the largest active fire in the nation, made significant progress in the past three days, increasing containment lines on the blaze to 22% as of Thursday night, according to Cal Fire.
The Park Fire, which officials said was deliberately started on July 24 and spread through Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties in Northern California, has grown to 394,953 acres. The blaze leapfrogged this week over the 2020 Creek Fire, which tore through Central California’s Sierra National Forest, to become the fifth largest wildfire in state history, officials said.
The Park Fire has destroyed at least 540 structures and damaged another 50, according to Cal Fire. No fatalities or injuries have been reported.
More than 3,800 people have been evacuated due to the Park Fire, Cal Fire said.
Firefighters put out hot spots from the Park Fire along Highway 32 near Forest Ranch, Calif., July 30, 2024.
Nic Coury/AP
Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, of Chico, has been accused of starting the blaze and was arrested on a charge of felony arson with an enhancement of special circumstances. On Thursday, Stout made his second court appearance this week. His arraignment was continued to a later date to allow his public defender to review the case reports and determine a plea, according to ABC affiliate station KRCR in Redding, California.
Stout, who remains in jail without bail, was allegedly spotted just before 3 p.m. PT on July 24 pushing a burning car down a gully called “Alligator Hole” in Bidwell Park, near Chico, sparking the Park Fire, prosecutors said.
The Nixon Fire in Southern California
California firefighters were also confronting the Nixon Fire that Monday off Richard Nixon Boulevard in Riverside County, northeast of the town of Aguanga, according to Cal Fire.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Nixon Fire had grown to 5,222 acres and was 18% contained, according to Cal Fire.
A firefighter works as the Nixon Fire burns with evacuation orders in the area on July 29, 2024 near Aguanga, Calif.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
At least four structures in the fire zone were destroyed, according to Cal Fire.
The Alexander Mountain Fire in Colorado
Colorado firefighters were also trying to get the upper hand on the Alexander Mountain Fire, which was first reported Monday morning, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. The fire burning in a remote mountainous area near Roosevelt National Park grew to 8,134 acres by Thursday night, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire was 5% contained, according to the Forest Service.
Stone Canyon Fire in Colorado
The Stone Canyon Fire west of Rabbit Mountain and the town of Lyons and about eight miles from the Alexander Mountain Fire had burned 1,553 acres as of Thursday night, according to the Boulder Office of Disaster Management.
The Alexander Mountain Fire near Loveland, Colo., July 30, 2024.
Jason Sieg/USDA Forest Service via AP
The blaze was 30% contained, officials said.
The remains of a person were recovered from a home in the area of the Stone Canyon Fire on Wednesday, according to Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson. But Johnson released few details on the circumstances of the death.
The 2021 wildfire season has been one of the most intense and destructive in recent memory, with wildfires raging across the western United States and other parts of the world. There are several factors contributing to the severity of this year’s wildfires, including extreme heat, dry vegetation, and human misconduct.
One of the primary factors fueling the intense wildfire season is the record-breaking heatwaves that have swept across much of the western United States. High temperatures can dry out vegetation, making it more susceptible to ignition and causing fires to spread more rapidly. In addition, extreme heat can create conditions that are conducive to the formation of fire tornadoes, which can further exacerbate the spread of wildfires.
Another factor contributing to the severity of this year’s wildfires is the dry vegetation that has resulted from prolonged drought conditions in many parts of the western United States. When vegetation is dry, it is more likely to catch fire and burn quickly, leading to larger and more destructive wildfires. In addition, dry vegetation can create a feedback loop, as burning vegetation releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which can contribute to further warming and drying of the environment.
Human misconduct is also a significant factor in the intensity of this year’s wildfires. Many wildfires are caused by human activities such as campfires left unattended, discarded cigarettes, and arson. In addition, the use of fireworks and other pyrotechnics during periods of high fire danger can spark wildfires that quickly get out of control. Human misconduct not only puts lives and property at risk but also places a significant strain on firefighting resources that are already stretched thin by the intensity of the wildfire season.
In order to mitigate the impact of wildfires, it is essential that we address these contributing factors. This includes taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change in order to prevent extreme heat events and prolonged droughts. It also means implementing stricter regulations and enforcement measures to prevent human-caused wildfires, such as banning campfires during periods of high fire danger and cracking down on arsonists.
Ultimately, addressing the factors contributing to the intense wildfire season will require a coordinated effort from governments, communities, and individuals. By taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of wildfires and mitigate their impact, we can help protect lives, property, and the environment from the devastating effects of these natural disasters.
