A heat dome over the western United States is driving extreme heat and helping fuel major wildfires across the region. In Washington state, three large fires near Spokane have burned more than 8,000 acres, destroyed more than 700 buildings and forced more than 60,000 people to evacuate, while 14 people remain missing, officials said.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said the Spokane area may be facing the worst natural disaster in the state’s history. Fire crews and search teams are continuing to work in the area as the fires keep spreading.
In Northern California’s Mendocino County, the Feliz Fire that began over the weekend has grown to more than 800 acres amid dry conditions and strong winds. In Oregon, wildfires have burned more than 1.8 million acres so far this year, and 33 large fires that have not been contained are still burning.
More than one-third of the western region remains in drought, adding to the risk of further fire spread. While extreme heat in Southern California has eased somewhat, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Palm Springs are still expected to see highs of 115 to 120 degrees this week.
