This fire season has turned out be intense and unusual. More than 56,000 acres are burning throughout the state. Firefighters and neighbors KIMA Action News talked to said they've never seen a fire season like this.

More than three-thousand lightning strikes sparked four complex fires across the middle of the state. Each contains up to 100 fires inside. Why so many? The Department of Natural Resources says forests are full of fuel. They've been plagued by bugs and disease-killing trees and the summer has been hot and dry.

"It hasn't rained in I don't know what the number of days is but it's been several I'm sure it's over a month it may be approaching two months," said Seth Barnes a DNR information officer.

More than 56,000 acres are burning in close proximity, straining resources. DNR said it's the first time in years they've needed so many firefighters at once. Crews were even brought in from Canada.

Firefighters don't think fire season will be over until the snow fall, but that's when new problems could start. The lost brush increases the chance of mud slides come spring.

While there might be a landslide threat, authorities say it's too soon to know if next year's fire season will be more or less dangerous.

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