Blazes Spread Across California and Oregon as Air Quality Deteriorates
On July 25, wildfires in Northern California forced the evacuation of thousands as the Park Fire in Butte County grew rapidly from 560 hectares to around 18,000 hectares. Firefighters struggled to contain the fire, which was only 3% contained at the time. The fire’s explosion in size prompted extensive evacuations in the city of Chico and surrounding areas, with more than 4,000 people fleeing their homes.
The fire is one of many blazes sweeping through the Pacific Northwest and Canada, creating a dangerous wildfire season across the region. The largest fire currently burning in the US, the Durkee Fire in Oregon, has burned at least 97,000 hectares, threatening small towns and livestock.
In addition to the direct impacts of the fires, smoke from the blazes has caused hazardous air quality throughout the region, stretching from the Rocky Mountains to Chicago. Denver experienced the worst air quality in the US and ranked 22nd in the world for pollution levels. Meteorologists predicted that a high-pressure ridge might help clear the skies later in the day.
Experts continue to warn that worsening wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, are a global concern.
