Crews battle wildfires in western U.S. and Canada : NPR

Evacuation orders have been issued in parts of the Western U.S. and Southwest Canada as wildfires, exacerbated by extremely hot and dry conditions, continue to spread.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, 183 new fires have ignited across the U.S. since Saturday, including eight large ones. More than 30,000 personnel and over 640 crews are involved in combating more than 94 active large fires nationwide.

In Utah, evacuation orders are in effect as nearly a dozen active wildfires have ravaged over 300,000 acres. The Rocky Canyon Fire, located approximately 30 miles northeast of Salt Lake City, has expanded to over 2,800 acres since its onset on Friday and remains uncontained, prompting evacuations in Morgan County.

Tragically, two pilots lost their lives on Friday when their helicopter crashed while fighting the Widemouth 2 Fire in Fishlake National Forest, as confirmed by the U.S. Forest Service on Sunday.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox expressed his sorrow for their passing on social media, stating, “They put themselves in harm’s way to protect our state and gave their lives in that service.”

The Widemouth 2 fire has burned over 118,000 acres, making it the largest fire in Utah this year, surpassing the Babylon Fire, which consumed over 107,000 acres. As of Sunday morning, the Widemouth 2 fire was 27% contained.

In Oregon, bulldozer operator Jason Ensign was identified by officials as having died while fighting the Wrights Spring Fire, which has spread over 33,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Sunday afternoon.

Significant fires are also raging in Washington state, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado.

In the Spokane, Washington area, over 60,000 people have been evacuated as firefighters strive to control several blazes that have scorched more than 10,000 acres. Local fire officials reported on Sunday that “crews made exceptional progress” in containing the fires and are ensuring “no remaining heat sources posing threats.”

“An abnormally dry and warm winter has led to an extremely difficult fire season,” noted the U.S. Forest Service Fishlake National Forest.

In Canada, British Columbia is grappling with more than 100 active wildfires, according to the British Columbia Wildfire Service. High temperatures and wind gusts are expected to persist in the southeastern parts of the province and the Okanagan region on Sunday.

The service warned on Sunday of a “high potential for lightning-caused wildfire starts,” particularly in the central Interior and the Okanagan, which are experiencing limited precipitation and dry lightning. “New ignitions occurring during periods of hot and dry weather can establish and spread quickly,” they cautioned.

A state of emergency has been declared in British Columbia due to the Bald Range wildfire, which has forced over 20,000 people to evacuate.

“At every step, we’re focused on ensuring that emergency crews have the tools they need to protect people,” stated British Columbia Premier David Eby on social media.