Wildland fire is a powerful force of change across the landscape of Alaska. During the 2004 summer, record high temperatures and low precipitation resulted in the largest fire season in the state's recorded history, with more than six million acres burned. While the extent of the 2004 season was impressive, fires are a yearly summer occurrence. Over the past 50 years, wildland fires have burned nearly two million acres in 14 of the 16 National Park Service units in the state. In their path, fires dramatically alter the vegetation and landscape of the parks. Fire is a natural phenomenon linked to the dynamics of many plant communities and animal populations.