OLYMPIA-A milder-than-usual fire season has allowed the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to provide assistance in Alaska. On the week of Aug. 26 the DNR dispatched an additional 69 firefighters to help fight the raging, record-breaking wildfires there, according to a DNR media release.

This season the DNR has sent a total of 191 firefighters to Alaska to provide resources and support. Alaska has experienced hot and dry conditions this summer with very little rain. Winds have also made it difficult to suppress the 683 fires that have occurred so far, burning more than 2.5 mi...