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As new blazes emerge, crews battle nearly 200 wildfires across US
USA Today • • nation
Key Points:
- Over 20,000 people have evacuated from southwest Canada and the western U.S. as wildfires fueled by hot, dry weather have burned more than 3 million acres across multiple states and British Columbia.
- In Oregon, the Wrights Spring Fire has burned over 30,000 acres since August 5, claiming the life of first responder Jason Ensign; the fire remains uncontained and has forced evacuations along with three other fires in the state.
- Utah's Rocky Canyon fire has grown to more than 4,000 acres with zero containment as of August 9, while the Widemouth 2 Fire consumed 118,000 acres and resulted in the deaths of two helicopter pilots battling the blaze.
- Washington state has seen three wildfires near Spokane burn over 16 square miles and displace more than 65,000 residents, while British Columbia faces 103 active wildfires, including the out-of-control Bald Range fire that has forced evacuations and caused one fatality.
- Officials from Oregon, Utah, and British Columbia have expressed condolences for the fallen firefighters and evacuees, highlighting the severe wildfire season driven by abnormally dry and warm conditions and urging public caution to prevent new fires.
