Sorry, Steve Running, Wildfires Are Decreasing with Global Warming

Sorry, Steve Running, Wildfires Are Decreasing with Global Warming | Heartlander Magazine:
"A Billings Gazette article last week quoted University of Montana global warming activist Steve Running claiming major wildfires have quadrupled since 1986, but the facts show wildfires are actually declining.
In the September 7 Gazette article, “Global warming makes firefighting more dangerous,” Running is quoted saying “Since 1986, longer, warmer summers have resulted in a fourfold increase of major wildfires and a sixfold increase in the area of forest burned, compared to the period from 1970 to 1986.” 
Fortunately for scientific truth, the National Interagency Fire Center keeps detailed statistics on wildfires going back to 1960.
The objective data show wildfires are decreasing, not increasing, as the planet modestly warms.
The National Interagency Fire Center reports 85,000 wildfires occurred in 1986, versus only 47,000 wildfires last year.
Fewer wildfires occurred in 2013 than any year since 1984, and 2013 had the third-fewest wildfires since records began in 1960.
This year’s wildfire season may end up being even quieter than 2013.
On the same day Running’s claim was quoted in the Billings Gazette article, the Washington Times reported only 38,000 wildfires have occurred so far this year.
The 2014 wildfire season will almost certainly be one of the three quietest since 1984, and may well end up quietest of them all."