2012 Worst Fire Season on Record in Wyoming

State Forester Bill Crapser says this past wildfire season was the worst on record in Wyoming.

Crapser estimates there were between 1,300 and 1,400 wildfires in the state that burned about 560,000 acres of state, federal and private land.

He says over the last 25 years Wyoming averaged only about 75,000 burned acres a year, meaning this year was about seven times worse than normal.

In addition, 75 homes and cabins along with up to 60 outbuildings were destroyed this year.

Crapser says the wildfires cost about $100 million to fight and at the high point of the fires in July there were 4,000 firefighters from around the country battling fires in the state.

Crapser blames the big fire season on hot, dry weather and increased dry lightning strikes.