This is the current wildfire map of the US. The number of fires is fairly typical of any given time. Of course, the 100s of other wildfires are not in populated areas so we hear nothing about them. The fires occur, consume all the fuel they can and then they go away. Always have, always will. Part of the natural process. Establishing large populations within, and surrounded by, the fuel is probably not the best idea we've had as a species. Massive controlled burns and/or clear-cutting (i.e., getting rid of the fuel) are the only realistic prevention measures.
