Wyoming Sees Decrease in Wildfires

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The end of summer means that the major wildfire season is all but over in Wyoming.

While the number of fires and acreage burned is still being tabulated and more wildfires can start this fall, state forestry officials say this year's fire season has been completely opposite from last year.

According to the Wyoming State Forestry Division, the cost of fighting fires on state and private land so far has totaled a preliminary $1.5 million. That compares to about $42 million for 2012.

The largest fire this summer burned about 25,000 acres in the Shoshone National Forest. That would have been small compared to 2012 when one fire burned nearly 100,000 acres.

Forestry officials attribute the better fire season to timely rain, fewer dry lightning strikes and better fire response.