Ten U.S. States Reporting Major Wildfires

Wildfires Plaguing Western and Southern United States

States of Emergency have been declared in Idaho and Montana due to the destructive wildfires.

At least 80 active large fires are currently burning more than 1.1 million acres across ten States: California (14), Colorado (1), Idaho (14), Louisiana (1), Montana (11), North Carolina (2), Nevada (1), Oregon (11), Texas (5) and Washington (20), reported NIFC.

“Residents in many western states have been evacuated from their homes as hot, dry, and windy conditions have caused several large fires to burn actively. Currently, more than 25,000 people are supporting wildfires, including 41 Incident Management Teams and 2 Area Command Teams.”

Year-to-date statistics [NIFC]

2015 (1/1/15 – 8/17/15) Fires: 40,509 – Acres: 6,969,074 [breaks 11-year record]

Annual average prior 10 years

(2005-2014) Fires: 49,400 – Acres: 4,809,886

[Caution: The stats provided by NIFC have previously proved to be incomplete, erroneous and unreliable. See related blog entries since 2007.]

The Federal government has proclaimed 8 additional Fire Management Assistance Declarations, as follows:

• Idaho Municipal Fire (FM-5105)
• Washington Okanogan County Fire Complex (FM-5104)
• Washington Stevens County Fire Complex (FM-5103)
• Oregon Canyon Creek Fire Complex (FM-5102)
• Washington Stickpin Fire (FM-5101)
• Washington Reach Fire Complex (FM-5100)
• Idaho Clearwater Lawyer Branch Fire Complex (FM-5099)
• Washington Nine Mile Fire (FM-5098)

Excessive Heat Warning

An excessive heat warning remains in effect throughout Wednesday for Southern Nevada, Southeastern California and Northwestern Arizona. Expected Temperatures: 109-112 in the Las Vegas Valley, 112-117 in the Colorado River Valley, and 120-125 in Death Valley, reported NWS.

Related Links

• Fierce Wildfires Destroy Dozens of Idaho Homes August 16, 2015