Historic Start to US Wildfire Season
Over 2.4 million acres nationwide have burned this year
Across the United States, wildfire activity has hit historic levels this spring and is likely to worsen in the coming months, experts said. As of June 1, 30,588 fires burned more than 2.4 million acres nationwide, which is twice the previous 10-year average and the highest loss in 14 years, the National Interagency Fire Center reported. Currently, 10 large uncontained fires are burning nationwide, and nearly 2,300 personnel are assigned to incidents across the country.
The Southeast has recorded the most fires nationwide so far, with blazes closer to populated areas than usual. Fires in Georgia are common from March to May, but this year is historic. Since the beginning of the year, more than 3,000 fires have burned 83,000 acres in the state, CNN reported. That is almost double the fires and eight times as many burned acres by this time of year compared to the last five years. Georgia averages over 2,300 wildfires annually with an average size of 7 acres per fire, according to data from the Georgia Forestry Commission.
The largest fires so far this year have occurred in the Great Plains, where strong winds pushed flames across towns. The West has already experienced uncharacteristically early and destructive events, raising concerns about a dangerous fire season.
Forecasts from the National Interagency Fire Center expect high fire activity through July until summer thunderstorms bring relief. Drought, warming climate, low snowpack, and changing weather patterns are contributing to factors to the ignition and spread of wildfires, experts said.
Furthermore, a recent Pew Research Center survey found that most Americans said extreme weather events in the U.S. are happening more often (68%) and are more severe (62%) than in the past.
Americans Take a Seat for National Bathroom Reading Month
Whether it’s a few minutes during a morning routine or a quick break before the after-school rush, the restroom is often where homeowners find a moment of quiet in an otherwise busy day. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing marked June’s National Bathroom Reading Month with the launch of its Porcelain Picks Reading Challenge, a promotion that turns those everyday moments of peace into an opportunity to reset, recharge, and give back.
Americans are invited to enter Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s Porcelain Picks Reading Challenge for a chance to win and give back. Participants can browse the brand’s curated reading list, select the title that most interests them, and nominate a local library they would support if chosen as the winner.
The Porcelain Picks Reading List includes:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
One winner will receive:
- US$2,000 in cash toward a bathroom refresh
- $2,000 donation to a local library of their choice
Entries are open now through June 30 by clicking here. A winner will be randomly selected and notified in early July. For official promotion rules and eligibility requirements, click here.
