Wildfires have been burning in the western United States for the past month affecting some Harding students as well as their friends and families in the area. According to ABC news this year’s fires have been persistent, and natural fires are still

The West had a wet winter and spring within this year, and it was predicted that the 2017 fire season would be mild. However, it has been one of the worst wildfire seasons in America, burning through massive amounts of land and lasting longer than predicted according to ABC.

Wildfires cross many acres of land and their smoke can travel far distances depending on the amount of wind.

“My brother is really good at football and hasn’t been able to play this year since the air quality is so bad,” sophomore Cameo Jones said. “My sister also has asthma, so it’s really been affecting her breathing.”

On Sept. 10 there were over 100 wildfires burning in almost a quarter of the United States. Most of them are controlled, however many have burned through homes and national parks.

“I’ve hiked around the Columbia Gorge, and it’s sad how much different it looks now.” sophomore Madison Spencer from Oregon, said. “I have some close friends in Troutdale (Oregon), which was on Level One Evacuation, I was worried about them since they live so close to one of the largest fires.”

“Wildfires are a natural occurrence. It’s ultimately how land levels out and allows new and necessary growth to occur,” said Andrew Warden, the Searcy Arkansas assistant fire chief. “Despite the devastation they can cause, fires are good for the earth.”