Fires are continuing to spark in the West as a heat wave blankets millions of residents.
With another heatwave looming, extreme drought and dry conditions are persisting in the West, creating matchbox conditions. Dozens of large wildfires are currently burning in the West.
The entire state of California is in drought and 85 percent is in extreme drought, while nearly two-thirds of Utah is in exceptional drought, and more than one-third of Washington state is in extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The Beckwourth Complex Fire in Doyle, California, is now the state’s largest wildfire at more than 86,000 acres and is only 8 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire prompted mandatory evacuations, closed portions of U.S. Route 395 and has nearly crossed state lines into Nevada, ABC Sacramento affiliate KXTV reported.
The Bootleg Fire in Klamath County, Oregon, grew to more than 143,000 acres on Sunday, prompting evacuations in the area, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The worst of the heat wave wrapped up Sunday, and the extreme heat will subside over the next few days.
