More than 100 wildfires continue to rage on the U.S. West Coast, with at least 16 deaths so far, and in Oregon, more than half a million people, or more than 10% of the state’s population, are under some sort of evacuation order process.
The fires in Oregon have destroyed thousands of homes and burned over 900,000 acres. Several towns in Oregon and one in Washington state were destroyed by the fires.
Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara said police have opened an arson investigation into the Almeda Fire, which quickly spread northward. The fire, which spread rapidly northward, is estimated to have destroyed 600 homes in towns north of Ashland.
The two largest fires in Oregon are expected to converge southeast of Portland, Oregon’s largest city. Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz Temple said she has discussed with local authorities the possibility of moving parts of the Portland metropolitan area. She said it all depends on wind and wind direction.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brow said at a news conference, “We’ve never seen so many out-of-control fires across the state.”
Oregon officials have yet to disclose the exact death toll, but there have been reports of at least four fatalities.
In California, wildfires continued to rage on Thursday, killing at least 12 people, destroying hundreds of homes and burning more than a million acres, exceeding last year’s blazes by a wide margin.
California’s North Complex fire burned through the Sierra Nevada this week, but its advance slowed after winds shifted and slowed. Fire authorities said the smoke from the fire provided shade and lowered temperatures, allowing firefighters to make progress, but helicopters were unable to get airborne.
The blaze, caused by lightning, has claimed the lives of at least 10 people, including a 16-year-old boy, Josiah Williams. His mother confirmed his death to a San Clemento television station. The fire also damaged or destroyed an estimated 2,000 homes in the area. Authorities said 16 people were missing in Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties, and that about 20,000 people had received evacuation orders or warnings.
Many homes in Berry Creek, a small town in Butte County with a population of 525, were leveled.
The fire, which had been burning in the small northern California city of Oroville for several weeks, was already 50 percent contained, but wind gusts of up to 72 mph on Tuesday and Wednesday swelled the blaze sixfold.
According to the Associated Press, 10 people have died in the “Northern Complex” fire, and four people have been hospitalized with severe burns. Another 16 people were reported missing, according to reports to local authorities.
California State Police say at least one person, a one-year-old boy, has died in the wildfire, which has burned nearly 2,426 square miles.
Recent Comments