The western United States is under a punishing heat wave, and Washington state is now facing multiple wildfires at once. Near Spokane, three fires spread simultaneously, burning about 600 homes and buildings and forcing the emergency evacuation of 5,000 households.
Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency and ordered a ban on agricultural burning through the end of next month. Officials said the fires are being fueled by a heat dome stretching from Arizona to Montana, which is trapping hot air near the ground.
The National Weather Service said the region has already been dried out by one earlier heat wave, and the new round of extreme heat is raising wildfire danger across the West. In Las Vegas, the temperature reached 115 degrees, while Phoenix and El Centro, California, climbed to 117 degrees.
With extreme heat and wildfires unfolding at the same time, weather officials are urging people to be especially careful with outdoor activity and any use of fire.
