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Wildfires rage across Washington as drought and heat fuel painful summer: ‘It’s not normal’
Hundreds of structures damaged as firefighters battle to contain 15 major wildfires amid extreme heat and drought
TL;DR
- Washington state is battling an "extraordinary" wildfire season.
- Fifteen major blazes are raging across the state, stretching resources thin.
- 60,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.
- At least 600 structures have been damaged or destroyed.
- Spokane has been particularly hard hit, with three fires burning in the area.
- None of the fires are currently contained.
- A record-setting fourth consecutive statewide drought is contributing to the fires.
- Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency and banned most burning through September.
- The state is requesting federal assistance.