California is battling its fifth-largest wildfire in history, while three wildfires near Denver have led to hundreds of evacuations and at least one death. Here’s the latest on the fires affecting multiple western states:
Colorado’s stone canyon wildfire claims a life
Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson reported that a fire victim’s remains were found inside a home in the path of the Stone Canyon Fire, one of the three wildfires near Denver. The fire has burned over 1,500 acres, destroying five homes, Governor Jared Polis said. Evacuation orders in parts of Lyon were lifted, but gas service remains off as a precaution. As of Wednesday evening, the fire was 20% contained, according to Boulder’s disaster management office.
Quarry fire in Colorado expands rapidly
Emergency crews evacuated homes southwest of Denver as the Quarry Fire threatened several subdivisions. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office stated that the fire grew from 50 acres to 341 acres by Wednesday night and was 0% contained. Governor Polis deployed the National Guard to assist with support roles like road closures and logistics, freeing up first responders.
Challenges in fighting the quarry wildfire
Firefighters face difficulties due to the mountainous terrain and limited resources. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Mark Techmeyer said air support availability was uncertain. Firefighters also face hazards like rattlesnakes. No injuries or damaged structures have been reported yet. The Alexander Mountain Fire, another blaze in Colorado, has burned over 7,600 acres north of Denver and was 1% contained as of Wednesday night.
California’s park fire continues to grow
Starting on July 24, the Park Fire in Northern California has burned more than 391,000 acres, making it the fifth-largest wildfire in state history. Over 5,800 personnel are battling the blaze, which has destroyed more than 360 structures and was 18% contained as of Wednesday afternoon.
State of emergency for Borel fire in Southern California
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for the Borel Fire in Kern County, which has decimated a historic mining community. Newsom had previously declared emergencies for the Park and Gold Complex fires.
Suspect in park fire faces arson charges
Ronnie Dean Stout II has been charged with arson for allegedly starting the Park Fire. Authorities claim a witness saw him pushing a burning car down an embankment. Stout denied pushing the car and did not enter a plea during a court appearance. His arraignment was continued to Thursday, with additional charges possible, according to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey.
Resident loses two homes to wildfires
Butte County resident Rick Pero lost his home to the Park Fire, the second wildfire to destroy his residence. After the 2018 Camp Fire, Pero and his wife relocated to Forest Ranch, where he educated neighbours on defensible space. Despite these precautions, their home was lost to the Park Fire.
Oregon’s Durkee fire rages amid high temperatures
The Durkee Fire, Oregon’s largest wildfire, has burned over 293,000 acres. Ignited by lightning near the Oregon-Idaho border on July 17, it was 52% contained as of Wednesday morning. No rainfall is expected, and temperatures are forecasted to hit triple digits by the weekend, potentially hampering firefighting efforts.
95 large wildfires burning across the US
The National Interagency Fire Center reported that 95 major wildfires are burning across the United States, covering 2.1 million acres. Among these, 35 are in Oregon, 12 in California, and 10 in Idaho. So far in 2024, 28,154 wildfires have burned 4,449,282 acres, exceeding the land area of Connecticut. The agency emphasised the need for firefighters and resources for initial attacks in high-risk areas, noting that most fire starts are contained within 24 hours. Gusty winds and high temperatures are expected to worsen conditions across the West through Friday, with potential record-breaking highs in the Pacific Northwest.
