Firefighters in Washington state are battling 15 major wildfires that have forced 60,000 people to evacuate and destroyed or damaged at least 600 structures. The fires are fueled by drought and major heat, contributing to what officials describe as an extraordinary fire season in the Pacific northwest.

David Upthegrove, head of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources, told reporters over the weekend that the season is "not a normal season," with a confluence of weather conditions and fires across the western US stretching resources and challenging responders. Spokane, a city of 230,000 near the Idaho border, has been particularly affected, with three fires burning in the area.

No deaths have been reported so far, but rapid evacuations around Spokane have led officials to open emergency shelters for displaced residents. Geoff Beadles, a Spokane resident who evacuated with his fiancée and dogs, described the destruction as "one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen in my life," according to AFP.

Light winds and cooler temperatures are expected to help firefighters temporarily, but warmer weather and wind later in the week could worsen conditions. Upthegrove warned that firefighters are already stretched thin and that any new spark on the tinder-dry landscape could lead to more devastating wildfires.

The state governor has requested federal assistance and has been in contact with former President Donald Trump and other administration officials to coordinate the response.

Sources