© Tannen Maury/AP
As of Wednesday, 22 fires had scorched more than 62,000 acres in the park, which is the highest since the historic 1988 season, when about 800,000 acres burned. In an average year, the park experiences 26 fires.
Four of this year's blazes — the Maple, Buffalo, Fawn and Central fires — accounted for much of the damage. The Maple Fire alone, the largest of the four, has burned more than 45,000 acres. The Boundary Fire was suppressed at 192 acres, and the other 17 together totaled just 14.18 acres.
Not all fires at the nation's first national park are treated in the same way. Officials work to shield human life and developed areas, such as roads, buildings and other infrastructure, from damage. But fires that don't threaten human life or infrastructure are allowed to burn as much as possible to carry out their ecological role on the landscape. This year, according to the release, 11 blazes were suppressed immediately.
Human activity — improper campfire management or cigarette disposal, as well as vehicle operations — was to blame for seven of the park's fires this year. Fifteen of the blazes were triggered by lightning.
Five fires are actively burning in the park now. The Maple, Buffalo, Central, Fawn and Jasper blazes are being managed to let fire perform its natural role in the ecosystem, the release said.
Visitors should be aware that they may see smoke rising from burned areas occasionally until snow or rain blankets the park in the coming weeks and months.
Comment: A study last year showed that wildfire seasons are more destructive and lasting longer almost everywhere on Earth.
Could a significant factor in the escalation of these events be that they are fueled from outgassing, then possibly 'sparked' by an increase in atmospheric electric discharge events, such as lightning strikes and other 'cosmic' ignition sources?