80 Wildfires Consume More Than 1 Million Acres in Western United States

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there are currently 80 large wildfires raging in 13 states across the United States. The agency said that Montana has reported the most wildfires with 18 and Idaho is close behind with 17. Along with the wildfires, parts of Idaho and Montana are seeing an above-average heatwave according to the National Weather Service. As temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees in both states, the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for eastern Montana and a heat advisory for the central part of the state and southeastern Idaho. A red flag warning has also been issued which means “critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.”

As of yesterday afternoon the Bootleg Fire which is burning in the Fremont-Winema National Forest along the Oregon and California border has amassed over 298,000 acres. That fire began on July 6th, and is now 22% contained after destroying at least 75 structures which includes 21 homes while over 5,000 homes are being threatened. Also in California as of yesterday the Tamarack Fire has amassed 18,299 acres and is 0% contained. That fire was sparked by lightning on July 4th and has triggered a number of mandatory evacuations in campgrounds and neighborhoods in the state.