A series of wildfires are ravaging the Western United States, with California and Oregon bearing the brunt of the crisis. The largest of these, the Durkee Fire in Eastern Oregon, has scorched nearly 174,000 acres and forced the closure of a 72-mile stretch of Interstate 84 between Baker City and Ontario. This lightning-sparked blaze, which began on July 17, has prompted evacuation orders for the town of Huntington and the Rye Valley community.In California, the Hawarden Fire in Riverside County has destroyed three homes and damaged four others, burning 527 acres before being contained. The cause is under investigation, with authorities looking into reports of fireworks. Nearby, the Eagle Fire has burned over 1,600 acres but is now 75% contained.Oregon is grappling with multiple fires, including the Microwave Tower Fire near Mosier, which has triggered urgent evacuations. This fire, fueled by winds of 30-35 mph, has burned 100-150 acres and is threatening residential areas.The crisis is exacerbated by a scorching heat wave and high winds across the region. Firefighters are battling the blazes using both ground and air resources, with hundreds deployed to various fire sites. The extreme conditions have led to air quality alerts in some areas.As the situation remains volatile, authorities are urging residents to stay informed about evacuation orders and to exercise caution. The heat wave is expected to persist through the week, potentially complicating firefighting efforts.
Key points
- Multiple wildfires are burning across the Western United States, particularly in California and Oregon.
- The Durkee Fire in Eastern Oregon has grown to nearly 174,000 acres, forcing evacuations and highway closures.
- A heat wave and high winds are exacerbating the fire conditions, with the extreme weather expected to continue.
- Firefighters are battling the blazes using both ground and air resources, with hundreds deployed to various fire sites.
