DENVER — The U.S. government says it has already spent a record $2.3 billion fighting wildfires this year, and 64 major fires are still burning in 10 states.
The Forest Service, the nation's primary firefighting agency, said Thursday it has spent more than $2 billion, and the Interior Department says it has spent $345 million.
The previous record for combined federal firefighting costs was $2.1 billion in 2015.
Hot, dry weather across the Western U.S. has led to one of the worst fire seasons in a decade, and some climate scientists say global warming is partly to blame.
So far this year, U.S. fires have blackened more than 13,000 square miles (34,000 square kilometers). That's the fourth-highest in a decade, and big fires could burn for several more weeks.
StarTribune.com welcomes and encourages readers to comment and engage in substantive, mutually respectful exchanges over news topics. Commenters must follow our Terms of Use.
Comments will be reviewed before being published.