Publication Date June 29, 2017 | The Weather Channel

West On Fire: Dozens of Large Fires Torching Thousands of Acres

United States

The western wildfire season is in full swing with dozens of fires blazing in Utah, Arizona and California.

According to the National Interagency Coordination Fire Agency, 2017 is turning out to be more active than last year at this point in the season. 

More than 4,200 square miles have burned so far this year, which is 30 percent more than 2016's year-to-date total.

The largest fire in the U.S., the so-called Brian Head fire in southern Utah, has destroyed 13 homes, damaged two and forced more than 1,500 people to evacuate, Inciweb reports. The fire has burned more than 91 square miles and remains 15 percent contained. 

Authorities say the costs of the fire currently stands at an estimated $11 million and could grow to $20 million, which would make it the most expensive fire in the state.