Deadly fires worsen across California, Oregon and Washington

Wildfires fueled by extreme heat and high winds continue to spread across California, Oregon and Washington on Thursday, destroying hundreds of homes and killing at least 7 people. 

Fires have burned through at least 2.5 million acres in California, a record amount of destruction that’s significantly worse than the impact of the state’s fire season last year.

The blazes have also destroyed entire communities in Oregon, including Detroit in Marion County; Blue River and Vida in Lane County; and Phoenix and Talent in Jackson County. Fires also largely decimated the town of Malden in Washington over the weekend. 

“This could be the greatest loss of human lives and property due to wildfire in our state’s history,” said Oregon Gov. Kate Brown. “We are not getting any relief from the weather conditions. Winds continue to feed these fires and push them into our towns and cities.”

In Northern California, the major Bear Fire filled the skies with smoke and turned them an eerie dark yellow-orange, while the Creek Fire continued to worsen in the Sierra National Forest. Three people are dead from the growing North Complex Fire in Northern California.

A 1-year-old boy was killed in the Cold Springs Fire in Okanogan County, Washington, after the child and his parents tried to flee their home, according to the sheriff’s office.

In Oregon, one person was killed near Ashland and two people were killed from fires in Marion County. 

The fires are becoming worse with forceful winds and heat. Climate change has triggered hotter temperatures and dry conditions that have sparked enormous wildfires in the fire-prone Western states.

State and local officials are concerned that some people were unable to flee their homes that were burned down. 

“We also fear that this is not going to be the only folks we’ll find deceased up there,” Marion County Sheriff Joe Kast said on Wednesday.

Thousands of people in the western states have had to evacuate their homes and don’t know when they’ll be able to return. As rescue efforts continue, the death toll from the fires is expected to rise over the next few days.