America’s Western States Battle Deadly Wildfires As Lands Suffer From Drought
The drought-stricken land of America's western states have been battling wildfires for so long that other nations have extended their assistance. The deadly blaze has affected 10 US states, including California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
One of the badly hit drought-stricken western states is Idaho with 17 huge wildfires blazing since Friday; followed by Washington, Oregon and California. The Canadian and American military have also deployed assistance to the affected areas. Firefighters from New Zealand and Australia have also been sent to the drought-stricken Boise, Idaho to help control the wildfires.
US President Barack Obama has declared emergency in Washington state, which has been blazing with several wildfires. The incident has killed three firefighters who have been identified as Richard Wheeler, Tom Zbyszewski and Andrew Zajac. Their vehicle crashed and the fire burned while they tried to escape. Another firefighter is critically injured, suffering from burns on more than 60 percent of his body.
Towns near areas affected by the wildfires were ordered to evacuate in order to prevent further casualties. The National Interagency Fire Centre said in a statement, "Many residents in Washington, as well as other western states, remain evacuated as firefighters work to contain large fires across the west."
An alarming series of conflagration known as the Okanogan Complex, which consists of five wildfires, has burned through north-central Washington. Officials have released additional evacuation orders for some areas in Okanogan, found at Colville Indian Reservation's western edge. The Okanogan Complex wildfires, which blazed 185 kilometers northeast of Seattle, have reportedly burned down 65,154 hectares of dry timber and brush.
"If people want to help, we'd like them to contact our coordinators so we can work on getting them safely and appropriately involved," the Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark said.
"We appreciate all offers of qualified and trained support. Safety for everyone is our highest priority," said the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
