The wildfire nightmare returns to the western United States



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Oregon recorded the largest fire in its history in this state, with an area of ​​1,200 km2.

Erratic winds and dry forests in Oregon increased the risk for firefighters to fight on Monday the biggest forest fire the United States, one of dozens of fires burning in several western states.

The destructive fire Contraband It is considered one of the largest in modern Oregon history and spans 1,210 square miles, an area the size of Angels. The blaze, just north of the California border, was 25% contained.

Dangerous weather

Meteorologists waited a while particularly dangerous for fires at least through Monday, with the possibility of lightning in California and southern Oregon.

Firefighters work at night on fires.  Photo: AFP

Firefighters work at night on fires. Photo: AFP

In photos: the Bootleg Fire destroyer, one of the largest in modern history in Oregon, United States

“With combustible material very dryAny electrical storm has the potential to start new fires, ” the National Weather Service of Sacramento, Calif., Noted on Twitter.

Orders had already been issued for evacuation of thousands of people, including some 2,000 residents of a predominantly rural area of ​​lakes and protected areas near the fire, which burned 67 houses and 100 structures, and threatened many more.

Extremely dry conditions and heat waves associated with climate change hit the region and made fighting the flames more difficult. Climate change has made the western United States much hotter and drier over the past 30 years, and it will continue to make extreme weather conditions and fires more frequent and destructive.

Climate change has made the western United States a much drier place.  Photo: AFP

Climate change has made the western United States a much drier place. Photo: AFP

Firefighters said in July they faced more common conditions in late summer or fall.

The pyrocumulus, oh clouds of fire, complicated efforts against the Dixie Fire in Northern California on Sunday. In addition, the flames spread to remote areas on rough terrain more difficult to access, according to the authorities. were issued new evacuation orders in rural towns near the Feather River Canyon.

The Dixie fire was 15% contained and covered 74 square kilometers. The blaze was northeast of the town of Paradise, California. Survivors of the horrific fire, which killed 85 people, viewed the blaze with concern.

A growing fire south of Lake Tahoe crossed a highway, prompting new widening orders, the closure of the Pacific Crest Trail and the cancellation of a bike race in the Sierra Nevada.

The Tamarack fire, started with lightning on July 4th, had burned about 74 square kilometers (28.5 square miles) in shrubby, dry wood on Sunday evening. The fire threatened Markleeville, a small town near the California-Nevada line. He destroyed at least two structures, according to the authorities.

A notice posted on the 103-mile (165-kilometer) Death Ride website on Saturday said several communities in the area had been evacuated and ordered all cyclists to clear the area. The fire left thousands of cyclists and spectators stranded in the small town and running to get out.

A sign thanks the firefighters in Chiloquin, Oregon.  Photo: Reuters

A sign thanks the firefighters in Chiloquin, Oregon. Photo: Reuters

Kelli Pennington and her family were camping near town on Friday so her husband could compete in his ninth race when told to go. They had observed smoke forming throughout the day, but the fire spread rapidly It took them by surprise.

“It happened so fast”said Pennington. “We left our tents, hammocks and food, but we took most of our things, put our two children in the car and drove off.”

About 800 firefighters were affected to fight the flames on Sunday night, “focusing on the preservation of life and property with timely protection of structures and placing containment lines where possible,” the US Forest Service said.

There are some 70 active fires and areas where several intertwine. So far, they have consumed nearly 4,297 square kilometers in the United States, the National Interagency Fire Center has reported. The Federal Forest Service noted that at least 16 large fires were burning in the Northwest region alone adjacent to the Pacific.

Associated press

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