They typically treat some 3 million (1.2 million hectares) acres every year. The federal government owns roughly 640 million acres (260 million hectares) in the U.S. All but 4% of it lies in the West, including Alaska, with some of it unsuitable for prescribed burning. Besides overgrown forests, the West faces a newer threat: cheatgrass, which grows prolifically after a wildfire and becomes incredibly flammable. Cal Fire, a state agency responsible for protecting over 31 million acres (12.5 million hectares) of California’s privately owned wildlands, treated some 20,000 acres (8,100 hectares) with prescribed fire and thinning from last summer through March. “Abnormally dry conditions and pre-season fires on the landscape are causing concern for the 2021 wildfire season,” the agency said.

Source: ABC News May 27, 2021 17:01 UTC