Early forecasts suggested that 2025 would have a very active fire season. But so far, things have played out a little differently.

Forecasts from earlier this year painted a dire picture : they predicted above average potential for major blazes in vast swaths of the West.

But as we get into the homestretch of the season, the 4.2 million acres burned so far are around three-quarters of the 10-year average.

That's according to the latest four-month outlook and recent data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise.

"I can tell you right now it was not as active as we were expecting," said Jim Wallman, the predictive services meteorologist at NIFC. "And I think we're grateful for that."

One of the key factors, he said, was an "unusually active" jet stream that

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