As reported by New York Times “Wildfires, Once Confined to a Season, Burn Earlier and Longer”, wildfires began to break out this year in late February. Like Alaska, many states have had an increase of wildfire during this year. This year alone, New Mexico has had 140 fires, doubling last year’s number. The fires have affected many areas; near the Colorado River, two recreational vehicle parks had to be evacuated from the area. Today’s wildfire season has become longer over the past years, not only in the United States but all over the world.

Many blame climate change for the events due to drier winters and warmer springs. As reported by Matt Jolly, an ecologist for the United States Forest Service, there are locations where the fire seasons last for the whole year. Alone in the United States, there were over 10 million acres that were burned, the highest ever recorded.

There are several wildfire academies around the country. At the Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy, there are three separate types of training for firefighters. The academy prepares firefighters for today’s growing fires through a strategy called “indirect attack.” Unfortunately, the majority of environmentalists agree that the effects of global warming will only deteriorate, therefore assuming that the fires will also increase.