The number of wildfires year-to-date is the largest since the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) began keeping records in 1994. According to agency statistics, 74,045 blazes charred 5,994,790 acres between January 1 and August 10, 2006.

Barely half as many wildfires ignited within the same period last year. Dating to 1996, an average of 51,691 fires burned 3,587,268 acres.

But this year's figures are an anomaly, said NIFC public affairs officer, Jennifer Smith. That is because an unprecedented 40,634 wildland fires ignited within the Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas during the traditionally tranquil period between January and May. Excluding those months, this summer wildfire season with outbreaks most prevalent in Montana, Washington, Oregon and California, constitutes "a typical season."

Nonetheless, extreme high temperatures, wind and draught conditions have stretched crews "a little thin" said Smith. The military has been assisting firefighters this year for the first time since 2002. The NIFC has also raised its national response status to level five, its highest level, for the time since 2003.

Fire managers from Australia and New Zealand will soon be making a trans-Pacific trip to provide their expertise. Despite these measures, Smith said the NIFC is "plenty prepared".