United States: Record high temperatures spawn wildfires in West /update 1

Event

Wildfires and smoke forced evacuations of thousands of people in the American West on Sunday, September 3, amid record high temperatures throughout much of the region. Among the most affected states are California, Oregon, Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah: as of Monday, September 4, the National Interagency Fire Center reported that there were 77 active large fires in these states, and that only two were contained. Notably, famous natural and manmade attractions in California's Yosemite National Park and Montana's Glacier National Park are under threat from fires as of September 4. Los Angeles canceled evacuation orders for Glendale and Burbank on Sunday after rain and cooler temperatures impeded the spread of the La Tuna wildfire, the largest ever in the city's history. Interstate 210 near Los Angeles, closed due to the looming wildfire, was reopened late Sunday as fire crews advanced and contained a sufficient amount of the blaze.

Over 584,350 hectares (1,443,963 acres) are currently burning throughout the American West, and the abovementioned states (in addition to parts of North Dakota and South Dakota) remain under fire and poor air quality warnings from threat of wildfires and smoke.

Context

Wildfires are common in the American West during the hot and dry summer and early autumn months. Rugged terrain and intense dry heat often exacerbate difficulties in controlling fires.

Advice

Individuals are advised to exercise caution when traveling in areas affected by the wildfires, to adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders), and to keep abreast of the situation.