At least 15 people have died across California, Oregon and Washington as a result of wildfires burning throughout the western United States,
The devastating wildfires have destroyed hundreds of homes and prompted waves of evacuations. The National Interagency Fire Center said that 96 large fires have so far burned more than 3.4 million acres. Fires in Oregon, California and Washington have burned tens of thousands of acres. In Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown declared that the communities of Detroit, Blue River, Vida Phoenix and Talent have been “substantially destroyed,” with hundreds of homes lost and more than 300,000 acres charred.
Meanwhile in California, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said 28 major wildfires are burning throughout the state have resulted in eight deaths, burned more than 2.5 million acres and destroyed 3,700 structures. One of the newest fires in California, the Creek Fire, has burned 136,000 acres and destroyed 360 structures in Fresno County, and at least 30,000 people in the county have been evacuated.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee visited the site of the Sumner Grade Fire, which has burned hundreds of acres, destroyed multiple homes and caused thousands to evacuate. Inslee also said 330,000 acres have burned statewide.
