The 2007 fire was probably the first for that area in 6,500 years, according to scientific evidence examined later, Higuera said. But the wait for the next big burn won't be nearly as long, according to the evidence gathered in the study.

Smokey air

More firefighters are expected to go to a wildfire burning out of control near Lumby, B.C. on Wednesday.

Smokey air as a result of wildfires to the north and south of Anchorage.

A wildfire is burning in a remote area of northwest Alaska. The Alaska Fire Service reports that the Zane Hills Fire was discovered this week, and mapped at 1,900 acres.

The grandchildren of Annie Kruger remember her lighting an Export A Green cigarette, throwing on her logger's jacket and heading out to set fires near Penticton, B.C. — part of an ancient tradition of using flames to clear brush, renew growth and create natural fireguards.

Wildfire and smoke seen from Hatcher Pass, AK

26 fires are burning in the Old Crow district but Yukon Wildland Fire says the community is not at risk

Sockeye wildfire at mile post 77 of the George Parks Highway near Willow.

Smoke from a handful of fires in northeast Alaska and across the border in Canada drifted south to Fairbanks on Tuesday and is expected to linger through Wednesday night.

UPDATE 3:55 P.M. With assistance from several supporting agencies, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office completed evacuation notices mid-day Saturday in the Roslyn, Ronald and Lake Cle Elum areas.

There were lightning strike-caused fires at Paul's Creek and Coffee Creek north of King Salmon, AK.

One B.C. First Nation is preparing to revive traditional firekeeping to rejuvenate the forest and reduce the risk of destructive forest fires.

A haze surrounding the hills had a distinct smell of burned wood.

Wildfire smoke visible in Unalakleet.

Facilities for producing weapons grade plutonium believed safe despite fierce flames caused by wildfires.

British Columbia has declared a state of emergency and thousands have been evacuated.

The Canadian Red Cross says an additional 1,500 people from the Garden Hill First Nation in Manitoba have been given evacuation orders due to wildfire smoke in the Island Lake area.

Wildfires are sweeping B.C.

A major wildlife rehabilitation facility is bracing for the devastating impact of the B.C. wildfires on birds and mammals.

The smoke from massive wildfires hangs like fog over large parts of the U.S. West, an irritating haze causing health concerns, forcing sports teams to change schedules and disrupting life from Seattle to tiny Seeley Lake, Montana.

Of the 89 wildfires burning across Alaska right now, several are in the northern part of the state, either in the Arctic or near its southern boundary.

The dozens of wildfires burning in the West are a symptom of our increasingly variable climate.

Los Angeles County's La Tuna Fire is one of 29 burning across the state, and "is the largest fire in the history of L.A. city," Mayor Eric Garcetti said.

Environment Canada says these smoky conditions could remain until Wednesday.

Smoke from a wildfire in southwestern Greenland is hampering the wild reindeer hunt on the Arctic island.

Smoke from a wildfire in southwestern Greenland is hampering the wild reindeer hunt on the Arctic island, best known for its ice rather than burning grass and bushes.

Extreme smoke seems to be a new feature of summers in British Columbia with back-to-back years of heavy wildfires in the province and, for some, the overcast skies are taking a toll on mental health.