Wildfires in the United States are at an all time high this year nearly 46 percent higher than last year and doubly the estimated total. These devastating fires have not only evacuated out entire towns, but have also taken the lives of several firefighters. The ongoing blazes are responsible for the destruction over 700 homes and the loss of more than 1.75 billion from the Forest Services. 137 blazes are being tamed by 24,000 plus fight fighters with an additional 71 uncontained fires. The majority of these increasingly damaging fires have been caused by lightning strikes to dry, drought stricken land.

Wildfire activity continued to devastate states including California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming for upwards for 4 months. The potential danger from the fires in these areas includes smoke inhalation. The air in these states and surrounding areas has been deemed hazardous on the Air Quality Index by the Environmental Protection Agency; hazardous being the worst case scenario. The inhalation of these smoke particles can cause inflammation, asthma attacks, and long term affects can lead to cancer. Making 2017 the year of the worst wildfire season in the United States.