Wildfires in SouthCentral Alaska have kept fire crews from all over the U.S. busy as consequences of the dry Alaskan spring become evident. One fire, being called the Funny River wildfire by officials, has grown into a 44,000 acre burn in the middle of the Kenai Wildlife Refuge. Fire crews are calling it the first large fire of the season and more than 100 people are on the ground battling the blaze.

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion