Alaska fire season lagging behind preseason predictions

The Big Mud Fire, burning 55 miles southwest of Tanana, was discovered yesterday by civilian aircraft. A BLM Alaska Fire Service aircraft responded from Fairbanks and flew over the lightning-caused fire. The fire is estimated to have burned about 300 acres, mostly along a ridgeline north of the Big Mud River. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Fire Service)A lack of winter snow, early season ignitions, and a hot weather forecast had Alaskans bracing for another busy fire season. But, so far, it’s l