Wildfires continued across the drought-plagued West on Saturday, leading residents to flee their homes and authorities to scramble for resources to beat back the flames.
In addition to blazes in Washington that killed three firefighters and injured four others, fires continued to explode in size, while other fires charged toward populated areas in several states.
Idaho
Evacuations have been ordered in northern Idaho as a group of wildfires that has already destroyed 42 homes threatened more residences Friday. Nearly 800 firefighters were trying to beat back the flames.
Idaho had 17 large fires — the most in the nation.
Fire managers told residents near the town of Weippe to flee the fires that have scorched 63 square miles of mostly timber.
Oregon
Gov. Kate Brown is activating an additional 250 Oregon National Guard members to help fight destructive wildfires raging across the state.
Brown’s decision on Saturday comes days after she activated an initial 125 guard members, who began training in Salem on Saturday and were scheduled to be dispatched on Wednesday to the front lines.
The governor’s office says the next group will begin training next week.
Strong winds carried smoke from the blazes in eastern Oregon and Washington across the Cascade mountain range Saturday, prompting air-quality alerts and an influx of 911 calls across the Willamette Valley.
With the smoke now affecting the most populated areas of the state, health officials are warning people to be take precautions. They recommend limiting time outdoors and avoiding strenuous activity.
California
More than 12,000 firefighters are battling 17 wildfires across California.
A fire that has burned for nearly three weeks on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada grew to 73 square miles near Kings Canyon National Park and was bearing down on popular Hume Lake.
The blaze on Friday burned down Kings Canyon lodge that had been evacuated earlier in the week, the first structure it had claimed since lightning sparked it three weeks ago. Pieces of foundation, charred metal pipes and a burned-out truck were all that remained. No injuries were reported.
More than 2,500 campers, hikers, employees and residents have been evacuated this week.
Montana
Residents and firefighters alike are welcoming much improved weather conditions that have calmed wildfires burning in western Montana.
However, firefighters cautioned that conditions were expected to become more favorable for active fire early in the coming week.
A fire burning on Glacier National Park’s southern boundary near the town of Essex stayed relatively in check despite strong winds Friday.
The fire is located in the Great Bear Wilderness about 2 1/2 miles south of Essex, where about 100 area residents have been told to be prepared to evacuate.
U.S. Highway 2 was reopened to traffic with pilot car escorts.
Colorado
Forecasters say a grey haze from western wildfires is expected to continue over parts of Colorado this weekend.
The fire danger is high in the northern area of Colorado because of gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation.
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