Why Western Wildfires Are Burning Longer, Spreading Faster

Wildfire season across the western U.S. is no longer confined to a few summer months. It’s stretching longer and growing more intense as rising temperatures, prolonged drought and earlier snowmelt dry out the landscape. Experts warn that with heat, wind and highly flammable vegetation aligning more often, even a single spark can quickly explode into a fast-moving, hard-to-control blaze.