Thousands of firefighters will be spending their Fourth of July battling dozens of wildfires that have forced thousands of residents to pack up families, pets and personal treasures to flee the advancing blazes.
The Boise, Idaho-based National Interagency Fire Center is reporting that 29 large, uncontained fires are burning nearly 180,000 acres in the western United States.
Parts of the West continue to experience record-smashing heat, that combined with low humidity and wind, creates a perfect storm for wildfires, according to USA Today.
Related: Wildfires: An expanding threat?
|Largest wildfire in Utah
The nation's largest fire, the Brian Head Fire, has been burning for almost two weeks in southwestern Utah, 250 miles south of Salt Lake City. The fire had consumed more than 50,000 acres early Thursday and was 10% contained. The fire has burned 91 square miles and destroyed 13 homes.
A man using a weed torch caused the fire, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert told CNN affiliate KSTU. The fire remains under investigation.
|Arizona declares state of emergency
In Arizona, Gov. Dough Ducey declared a state of emergency in Yavapai County in response to the Goodwin Fire burning in the Prescott National Forest. The move directed $200,000 of emergency funds to help contain the fire, according to CNN.
The Goodwin Fire — which has led to the evacuation of several towns, including Mayer, Dewey and Walker — is expected to grow because of high winds, spokeswoman Debbie Maneely of the US Forest Service said.
Four years ago almost to the day, 19 firefighters from Prescott Fire Department's Granite Mountain Hotshots died battling a wildfire a few miles away.
|An Arizona wildfire is chasing people from homes in same area where 19 firefighters were killed 4 years ago. Story: https://t.co/EYVFCt1j1I pic.twitter.com/Fd8E8HO59d
— AP West Region (@APWestRegion) June 28, 2017
Fireworks warning
Residents are warned by emergency officials to be wary of lighting fireworks this Fourth of July weekend, noting that pyrotechnics could ignite more fires if not used properly.
Following are additional images from the dangerous and devastating June 2017 wildfires:
In this image provided courtesy of KTVU-TV, a wildfire burns on a hillside close to homes near the Carquinez Bridge Toll Plaza Thursday, June 22, 2017, in Vallejo, Calif. Firefighters have reported that "multiple" homes are burning and others are at risk as they battle a 4-alarm grass fire in Vallejo. The Vallejo Fire Department says the blaze off Interstate 80 near the Carquinez Bridge has led to the closure of all eastbound lanes on I-80. (Courtesy of KTVU-TV via AP)
This Monday, June 26, 2017, photo provided by the Utah Governor's Office, shows fire activity near Parowan, during a tour by Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, in southern Utah. The nation's largest wildfire has forced more than 1,500 people from their homes and cabins in a southern Utah mountain area home to a ski town and popular fishing lake. (Justin Harding/Utah Governor's Office via AP)
U.S. Forest Service firefighter John King aids in the effort to put out a brush fire Monday, June 26, 2017, in Santa Clarita, Calif., that broke out on Sunday. Crews are cleaning up after a weekend car crash sparked a smoky fire that ripped through dry brush amid stifling heat. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
A wildfire burns near Mayer, Ariz, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, as seen from Prescott Valley, Ariz. The fire about 100 miles north of Phoenix has forced the evacuation of Mayer and parts of Dewey-Humboldt along with several other communities. Some areas and subdivisions are under pre-evacuation notices. (AP Photo/Matt York)
This photo provided by Ann Alden shows the Encino Fire in Sonoita, Ariz., Tuesday, June 20, 2017. An extreme heat wave in the Southwest U.S. made the fight against a series of wildfires more difficult. (Ann Alden via AP)
An evacuee from the Goodwin fire enters a Red Cross shelter, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in Prescott Valley, Ariz. Forest officials say over a dozen campground and other recreation areas have been closed because of the wildfire in northern Arizona. (AP Photo/Matt York)
This Monday, June 26, 2017, photo provided by the Utah Governor's Office, shows a burnout area between Parowan and Brian Head, during a wildfire tour by Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, in southern Utah. The nation's largest wildfire has forced more than 1,500 people from their homes and cabins in a southern Utah mountain area home to a ski town and popular fishing lake. (Justin Harding/Utah Governor's Office via AP)
A fire burns near Mayer, Ariz, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, as seen from Spring Valley, Ariz. The fire has burned over 28 square miles (73 square kilometers). More than 500 firefighters are battling the blaze that's near the small town where 19 members of an elite firefighting unit were killed while battling a blaze four years ago. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Jayleen R. Heft
Jayleen Heft is the digital content editor for PropertyCasualty360.com. Contact her at [email protected].
