West Coast Continues to Experience Unprecedented, Devastating Fire Season

More than 85 major fires continue to burn out of control along the west coast. Thousands of Oregon residents were forced to evacuate as more than 230,000 acres of land burns. Governor Kate Brown signed a state of emergency declaration saying, “this is definitely a once-in-a-generation event.” In Washington state, more than 100,000 people have lost power and 330,000 acres destroyed. That’s more land lost this fire season than the last 12 combined. And finally in California, a record breaking 2.2 million acres continue to be ravaged by dozens of major fires. To put it in perspective, the Creek Fire in the Sierra National Forest burns roughly the size of Central Park every 30 minutes. At least 30,000 people have been evacuated from the area. Hundreds more and dozens of animals also had to be rescued. In another major fire, three firefighters narrowly escaped with their lives. The powerful winds and brutal heat wave appears to continue with fire season predicted to last another four months.