Forecaster says 'Shark Week' effect makes wildfire season seem worse

If it seems like wildfires have been out of control this summer in the western U.S, you might be surprised to find out that wildfires are actually at a 29-year LOW.

Oklahoma City meteorologist Brad Sowder calls it the "Shark Week" effect, a reference to the way that intense media coverage can make a problem seem worse than it actually is.

He says the Colorado wildfire that killed 19 firemen was so bad, that the media has focused more intensely on all fire stories this year, and so he says it just seems like fires are worse this year.

He adds that the amount of acreage burned is at a 14-year low.