Gas prices have crept up just in time for July Fourth festivities and travel, with prices the highest they’ve been since 2008. “What we’re seeing is that the situation in Iraq caused gas prices to increase 5 to 10 cents across the board,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said, noting that fighting in Iraq has recently intensified, pushing crude oil costs up. “In recent years gas prices have declined in the weeks leading up to Independence Day,” Jenkins said.