While the title is about paying more it's also important to read the full article, here are some highlights I feel are relevant.

Last year, those planes burned through about $50 million worth of jet fuel. Every fire season is different, but if this year is the same as last season, that fuel bill would almost double to nearly $100 million.

And that the budget this year is for $7 million less than last year.

Also the droughts impacting the entire west.

L'Esperance has his eye on oil imports heading into California, where most of the jet fuel used across the West is refined. The California Energy Commission is reporting the lowest stock of jet fuel at refineries in more than two years.

Also, not part of the article, but Canada is well known to assist the US in fighting fires but perhaps we are not on as good of terms with them as we once were. Not sure how that might impact their willingness to help.