Austin Amistoy

The U.S.

Forest Service is in charge of most large wildfires.

Last year, it says it spent a little more than $50 million fueling up planes and helicopters.

It's budgeted less than that for this summer, even though jet fuel has skyrocketed in price.

Willis Curdy used to fly planes as a wildland firefighter.

This year's fire season may prove expensive, with forecasters projecting a warm, dry summer out west.

For NPR News, I'm Austin Amistoy in Missoula, Montana.