15,000 firefighters are battling 83 wildfires in the United States

map wildfires

Above: Map showing heat detected on wildfires in the northwest one-quarter of the U.S. by a satellite, August 10-11, 2017. NASA.

(Originally published at 12:34 p.m. MDT August 11, 2017)

Over 15,000 firefighters are assigned to 83 active wildfires in the United States which have burned a total of about 942,000 acres. In addition to fire overhead and incident command post personnel, they are staffing 369 hand crews, 678 fire engines, and 141 helicopters. So far this year over 6 million acres have burned in the country.

As you can see below, the air quality compromised by smoke is not getting any better. Again, four cities in Idaho and Washington are four of the top five locations in the country with forecasts for the worst air today.

smoke air quality index

wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke, 5:16 a.m. MDT August 11, 2017.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

2 thoughts on “15,000 firefighters are battling 83 wildfires in the United States”

  1. meanwhile, in british columbia, which has more softwood forest than all of north america, only 1400 firefighters are battling 143 fires.

    NOT SUPRISINGLY….. they aren’t doing so well.

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