The wildfire season in Alaska has been the worst on record. According to the Daily News, a million acres have burned as of June 15.
Unusually dry and warm weather is to blame for the fires. The Washington Post reported that there have been more than 300 fires in the state recently. The East Fork Fire has burned more than 163,000 acres and was set ablaze in May. It is one of the largest tundra fires on record.
The residents of Saint Mary's have had to leave their homes this month due to the encroaching flames and smoke. Several Alaskan agencies are dedicated to fighting the fires.
Sam Harrel, a public information officer with the Division of Forestry, said that they were trying to get staff in position to deal with the high pressure moving in over the state. It takes a long time for resources to get to Alaska. It is easier for Oregon to go to California to help fight fires than it is to go to Alaska.
The wildfire season begins in late May to early June and ends in September. Alaska's nighttime temperatures are on the rise alongside its daytime temperatures, which leaves little respite from the heat, and fueling bigger and hotter fires.
The growing season in the region has become longer due to the rise in temperature. There were more acres burned by wildfires in Alaska from 2001 to 2020 than there had been in the previous two decades.
Climate change is one of the reasons why there are more fires in and near the Arctic. Some parts of Alaska are experiencing unusual dry conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about half of the state is experiencing some kind of dry spell.
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