OLYMPIA – This week, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) dispatched 69 more wildland firefighters to Alaska to help fight the raging, record-breaking wildfires there.
In all, DNR has sent 191 firefighters to Alaska to provide resources and support this season. Alaska has experienced hot and dry conditions this summer with very little rain. Winds have also made it difficult to suppress the 683 fires that have occurred so far, burning more than 2.5 million acres.
DNR crews in Alaska are helping to suppress Swan Lake Fire, Deshka Landing Fire, and McKinley Fire.
Here in Washington, DNR has responded to more than 1,000 wildfires, and 129,000 acres have burned. That said, Washington State has had an unexpected, milder summer with cooler temperatures and rain. This milder season allows DNR to send firefighters to places that have not been so fortunate.
View photos of the Alaska fires at: https://deptofnaturalresources.box.com/s/bl8jdftt1cw2sozfemk9ojf5f2f0c58b
For information on the Alaska wildfires, go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/.
Photo: Swan Lake fire in Alaska