NATION

Western wildfires rage on

The Detroit News
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, the Bootleg Fire burns at night in southern Oregon on Saturday, July 17, 2021. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles (1,210 square kilometers), an area about the size of Los Angeles. The Bootleg Fire is among dozens burning in the parched West.
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, the Bootleg Fire burns at night in southern Oregon on Saturday, July 17, 2021. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles (1,210 square kilometers), an area about the size of Los Angeles. The Bootleg Fire is among dozens burning in the parched West.
AP
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, a DC-10 tanker drops retardant over the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, Thursday, July 15, 2021. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon.
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, a DC-10 tanker drops retardant over the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, Thursday, July 15, 2021. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon.
AP
In this photo provided by the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshall, flames and smoke rise from the Bootleg fire in southern Oregon on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The largest fire in the U.S. on Wednesday was burning in southern Oregon, to the northeast of the wildfire that ravaged a tribal community less than a year ago. The lightning-caused Bootleg fire was encroaching on the traditional territory of the Klamath Tribes, which still have treaty rights to hunt and fish on the land, and sending huge, churning plumes of smoke into the sky visible for miles.
In this photo provided by the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshall, flames and smoke rise from the Bootleg fire in southern Oregon on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The largest fire in the U.S. on Wednesday was burning in southern Oregon, to the northeast of the wildfire that ravaged a tribal community less than a year ago. The lightning-caused Bootleg fire was encroaching on the traditional territory of the Klamath Tribes, which still have treaty rights to hunt and fish on the land, and sending huge, churning plumes of smoke into the sky visible for miles.
John Hendricks, AP
Firefighters Garret Suza, right, and Cameron Taylor, with the Chiloquin Forest Service, search for hot spots on the North East side of the Bootleg Fire, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, near Sprague River, Ore.
Firefighters Garret Suza, right, and Cameron Taylor, with the Chiloquin Forest Service, search for hot spots on the North East side of the Bootleg Fire, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, near Sprague River, Ore.
Nathan Howard, AP
A sign marking a U.S. National Forest road is seen charred on the North East side of the Bootleg Fire, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, near Sprague River, Ore.
A sign marking a U.S. National Forest road is seen charred on the North East side of the Bootleg Fire, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, near Sprague River, Ore.
Nathan Howard, AP
Firefighter Garrett Suza, with the Chiloquin Forest Service, mops up a hot spot on the North East side of the Bootleg Fire, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, near Sprague River, Ore.
Firefighter Garrett Suza, with the Chiloquin Forest Service, mops up a hot spot on the North East side of the Bootleg Fire, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, near Sprague River, Ore.
Nathan Howard, AP
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, the Bootleg Fire burns at night near Highway 34 in southern Oregon on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Firefighters scrambled Friday to control a raging inferno in southeastern Oregon that's spreading miles a day in windy conditions, one of numerous wildfires across the U.S. West that are straining resources. The Bootleg Fire, the largest wildfire burning in the U.S., has torched more than 377 square miles (976 square kilometers), and crews had little control of it.
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, the Bootleg Fire burns at night near Highway 34 in southern Oregon on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Firefighters scrambled Friday to control a raging inferno in southeastern Oregon that's spreading miles a day in windy conditions, one of numerous wildfires across the U.S. West that are straining resources. The Bootleg Fire, the largest wildfire burning in the U.S., has torched more than 377 square miles (976 square kilometers), and crews had little control of it.
Jason Pettigrew, AP
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, smoke from the Bootleg Fire rises behind the town of Bonanza, Ore., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Firefighters scrambled Friday to control a raging inferno in southeastern Oregon that's spreading miles a day in windy conditions, one of numerous wildfires across the U.S. West that are straining resources. The Bootleg Fire, the largest wildfire burning in the U.S., has torched more than 377 square miles (976 square kilometers), and crews had little control of it.
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, smoke from the Bootleg Fire rises behind the town of Bonanza, Ore., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Firefighters scrambled Friday to control a raging inferno in southeastern Oregon that's spreading miles a day in windy conditions, one of numerous wildfires across the U.S. West that are straining resources. The Bootleg Fire, the largest wildfire burning in the U.S., has torched more than 377 square miles (976 square kilometers), and crews had little control of it.
AP
Smoke from wildfires is carried by winds, obscuring the view for visitors to the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta, Sunday, July 18, 2021.
Smoke from wildfires is carried by winds, obscuring the view for visitors to the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta, Sunday, July 18, 2021.
Jeff McIntosh, AP
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, the Bootleg Fire burns in the background behind the Sycan Marsh in southern Oregon on Saturday, July 17, 2021. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles (1,210 square kilometers), an area about the size of Los Angeles.
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, the Bootleg Fire burns in the background behind the Sycan Marsh in southern Oregon on Saturday, July 17, 2021. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles (1,210 square kilometers), an area about the size of Los Angeles.
AP
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, the Bootleg Fire is seen smoldering in southern Oregon, Saturday, July 17, 2021. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles (1,210 square kilometers), an area about the size of Los Angeles. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon.
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, the Bootleg Fire is seen smoldering in southern Oregon, Saturday, July 17, 2021. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles (1,210 square kilometers), an area about the size of Los Angeles. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon.
AP
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, firefighters battle the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, Saturday, July 17, 2021. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon.
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, firefighters battle the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, Saturday, July 17, 2021. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon.
J. Michael Johnson, AP
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, firefighters battle the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, Saturday, July 17, 2021. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon.
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, firefighters battle the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, Saturday, July 17, 2021. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon.
J. Michael Johnson, AP
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, a public information officer talks with evacuees at a Red Cross Shelter near the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, Sunday, July 18, 2021. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles (1,210 square kilometers), an area about the size of Los Angeles. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon.
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, a public information officer talks with evacuees at a Red Cross Shelter near the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, Sunday, July 18, 2021. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles (1,210 square kilometers), an area about the size of Los Angeles. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon.
AP
The sun sets behind Joshua Trees in Lancaster, California where temperatures reached 107 degrees Fahrenheit (41.6 degrees Celsius) today, July 12, 2021. - Wildfires were burning across more than one million acres of the western United States and Canada on Monday, as scorching temperatures held their grip on areas reeling from a brutal weekend heat wave.
The sun sets behind Joshua Trees in Lancaster, California where temperatures reached 107 degrees Fahrenheit (41.6 degrees Celsius) today, July 12, 2021. - Wildfires were burning across more than one million acres of the western United States and Canada on Monday, as scorching temperatures held their grip on areas reeling from a brutal weekend heat wave.
ROBYN BECK, AFP Via Getty Images
The sun sets behind Joshua Trees in Lancaster, California where temperatures reached 107 degrees Fahrenheit (41.6 degrees Celsius) today, July 12, 2021. - Wildfires were burning across more than one million acres of the western United States and Canada on Monday, as scorching temperatures held their grip on areas reeling from a brutal weekend heat wave.
The sun sets behind Joshua Trees in Lancaster, California where temperatures reached 107 degrees Fahrenheit (41.6 degrees Celsius) today, July 12, 2021. - Wildfires were burning across more than one million acres of the western United States and Canada on Monday, as scorching temperatures held their grip on areas reeling from a brutal weekend heat wave.
ROBYN BECK, AFP Via Getty Images
A fireman works to extinguish a forest fire at the Thessaloniki Seih Sou park, which overlooks the city of Thessaloniki, on July 13, 2021. - The risk of new fires was considered high, after several days of hot temperatures across most of Greece.
A fireman works to extinguish a forest fire at the Thessaloniki Seih Sou park, which overlooks the city of Thessaloniki, on July 13, 2021. - The risk of new fires was considered high, after several days of hot temperatures across most of Greece.
SAKIS MITROLIDIS, AFP Via Getty Images
TOPSHOT - A Canadair aircarft drops water on a forest fire at the Thessaloniki Seih Sou park, which overlooks the city of Thessaloniki, on July 13, 2021. - The risk of new fires was considered high, after several days of hot temperatures across most of Greece. (Photo by Sakis MITROLIDIS / AFP) (Photo by SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - A Canadair aircarft drops water on a forest fire at the Thessaloniki Seih Sou park, which overlooks the city of Thessaloniki, on July 13, 2021. - The risk of new fires was considered high, after several days of hot temperatures across most of Greece. (Photo by Sakis MITROLIDIS / AFP) (Photo by SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP via Getty Images)
SAKIS MITROLIDIS, AFP Via Getty Images
A Canadair aircraft drops water on a forest fire at the Thessaloniki Seih Sou park, which overlooks the city of Thessaloniki, on July 13, 2021. - The risk of new fires was considered high, after several days of hot temperatures across most of Greece. (Photo by Sakis MITROLIDIS / AFP) (Photo by SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP via Getty Images)
A Canadair aircraft drops water on a forest fire at the Thessaloniki Seih Sou park, which overlooks the city of Thessaloniki, on July 13, 2021. - The risk of new fires was considered high, after several days of hot temperatures across most of Greece. (Photo by Sakis MITROLIDIS / AFP) (Photo by SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP via Getty Images)
SAKIS MITROLIDIS, AFP Via Getty Images
BLY, OREGON - JULY 14: In this handout provided by the USDA Forest Service, the Bootleg Fire burns on July 14, 2021 in Bly, Oregon. The Bootleg Fire has has spread over 212,377 acres, making it the largest among the dozens of blazes burning in the western U.S. fueled by record temperatures and drought.
BLY, OREGON - JULY 14: In this handout provided by the USDA Forest Service, the Bootleg Fire burns on July 14, 2021 in Bly, Oregon. The Bootleg Fire has has spread over 212,377 acres, making it the largest among the dozens of blazes burning in the western U.S. fueled by record temperatures and drought.
Handout, USDA Forest Service Via Getty Im
BLY, OREGON - JULY 14: In this handout provided by the USDA Forest Service, firefighters work to control the Bootleg Fire on July 14, 2021 in Bly, Oregon. The Bootleg Fire has has spread over 212,377 acres, making it the largest among the dozens of blazes burning in the western U.S. fueled by record temperatures and drought.
BLY, OREGON - JULY 14: In this handout provided by the USDA Forest Service, firefighters work to control the Bootleg Fire on July 14, 2021 in Bly, Oregon. The Bootleg Fire has has spread over 212,377 acres, making it the largest among the dozens of blazes burning in the western U.S. fueled by record temperatures and drought.
Handout, USDA Forest Service Via Getty Im
SISTERS, OREGON - JULY 11: In this handout provided by the Oregon Department of Forestry, a firefighting tanker drops retardant over the Grandview Fire on July 11, 2021 northeast of Sisters, Oregon. The Grandview Fire had spread to nearly 6,000 acres before firefighters, aided by calmer winds, were able slow it at 10 percent contained amid dozens of blazes burning in the western U.S. fueled by record temperatures and drought.
SISTERS, OREGON - JULY 11: In this handout provided by the Oregon Department of Forestry, a firefighting tanker drops retardant over the Grandview Fire on July 11, 2021 northeast of Sisters, Oregon. The Grandview Fire had spread to nearly 6,000 acres before firefighters, aided by calmer winds, were able slow it at 10 percent contained amid dozens of blazes burning in the western U.S. fueled by record temperatures and drought.
Handout, Oregon Department Of Forestry Vi
BLY, OREGON - JULY 14: In this handout provided by the USDA Forest Service, an aerial view shows the Bootleg Fire burning on July 14, 2021 in Bly, Oregon. The Bootleg Fire has has spread over 212,377 acres, making it the largest among the dozens of blazes burning in the western U.S. fueled by record temperatures and drought.
BLY, OREGON - JULY 14: In this handout provided by the USDA Forest Service, an aerial view shows the Bootleg Fire burning on July 14, 2021 in Bly, Oregon. The Bootleg Fire has has spread over 212,377 acres, making it the largest among the dozens of blazes burning in the western U.S. fueled by record temperatures and drought.
Handout, USDA Forest Service Via Getty Im
A helicopter used to drop water throughout the Bootleg Fire flies through the air near Bly, Oregon on July 15, 2021. - A brutal start to the wildfire season in the western United States and Canada worsened July 15, 2021 as a massive Oregon blaze exploded in dry, windy conditions and a new California blaze threatened communities devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire. The Bootleg Fire located 27 miles northeast of Klamath Falls, Oregon, caught fire nine days ago on July 6, 2021, due to an unknown cause. It is the largest burning wildfire in the United States at 227,234 acres as of July 15, 2021. The fire now stretches for 31 miles and grows between two and three miles a day. According to BLM Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Ryan Berlin, there are approximately 2000 firefighters combating the Bootleg Fire. The fire is currently at 7% containment.
A helicopter used to drop water throughout the Bootleg Fire flies through the air near Bly, Oregon on July 15, 2021. - A brutal start to the wildfire season in the western United States and Canada worsened July 15, 2021 as a massive Oregon blaze exploded in dry, windy conditions and a new California blaze threatened communities devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire. The Bootleg Fire located 27 miles northeast of Klamath Falls, Oregon, caught fire nine days ago on July 6, 2021, due to an unknown cause. It is the largest burning wildfire in the United States at 227,234 acres as of July 15, 2021. The fire now stretches for 31 miles and grows between two and three miles a day. According to BLM Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Ryan Berlin, there are approximately 2000 firefighters combating the Bootleg Fire. The fire is currently at 7% containment.
PAYTON BRUNI, AFP Via Getty Images
A Bootleg Fire shirt worn by an Oregon firefighter is pictured at the Bootleg Fire forward operating base in Bly, Oregon on July 15, 2021. - A brutal start to the wildfire season in the western United States and Canada worsened July 15, 2021 as a massive Oregon blaze exploded in dry, windy conditions and a new California blaze threatened communities devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire. The Bootleg Fire located 27 miles northeast of Klamath Falls, Oregon, caught fire nine days ago on July 6, 2021, due to an unknown cause. It is the largest burning wildfire in the United States at 227,234 acres as of July 15, 2021. The fire now stretches for 31 miles and grows between two and three miles a day. According to BLM Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Ryan Berlin, there are approximately 2000 firefighters combating the Bootleg Fire. The fire is currently at 7% containment.
A Bootleg Fire shirt worn by an Oregon firefighter is pictured at the Bootleg Fire forward operating base in Bly, Oregon on July 15, 2021. - A brutal start to the wildfire season in the western United States and Canada worsened July 15, 2021 as a massive Oregon blaze exploded in dry, windy conditions and a new California blaze threatened communities devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire. The Bootleg Fire located 27 miles northeast of Klamath Falls, Oregon, caught fire nine days ago on July 6, 2021, due to an unknown cause. It is the largest burning wildfire in the United States at 227,234 acres as of July 15, 2021. The fire now stretches for 31 miles and grows between two and three miles a day. According to BLM Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Ryan Berlin, there are approximately 2000 firefighters combating the Bootleg Fire. The fire is currently at 7% containment.
PAYTON BRUNI, AFP Via Getty Images
Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Ryan Berlin (L) and home owner Bob Dillon watch the Bootleg Fire smoke cloud from Dillon's home in Beatty, Oregon, on July 16, 2021. - The extreme drought-hit western United States braced for more wildfire destruction July 16, 2021 as efforts to contain a vast blaze scorching southern Oregon failed to progress, and dangerous dry lightning storms were forecast in California. The Bootleg Fire near Oregon's border with California grew overnight to 240,000 acres -- larger than New York City, and by far the biggest active blaze in the US -- while remaining just seven percent contained.
Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Ryan Berlin (L) and home owner Bob Dillon watch the Bootleg Fire smoke cloud from Dillon's home in Beatty, Oregon, on July 16, 2021. - The extreme drought-hit western United States braced for more wildfire destruction July 16, 2021 as efforts to contain a vast blaze scorching southern Oregon failed to progress, and dangerous dry lightning storms were forecast in California. The Bootleg Fire near Oregon's border with California grew overnight to 240,000 acres -- larger than New York City, and by far the biggest active blaze in the US -- while remaining just seven percent contained.
PAYTON BRUNI, AFP Via Getty Images
Fire from the Bootleg Fire illuminates smoke at night near Bly, Oregon on July 16, 2021. - The extreme drought-hit western United States braced for more wildfire destruction July 16, 2021 as efforts to contain a vast blaze scorching southern Oregon failed to progress, and dangerous dry lightning storms were forecast in California. The Bootleg Fire near Oregon's border with California grew overnight to 240,000 acres -- larger than New York City, and by far the biggest active blaze in the US -- while remaining just seven percent contained.
Fire from the Bootleg Fire illuminates smoke at night near Bly, Oregon on July 16, 2021. - The extreme drought-hit western United States braced for more wildfire destruction July 16, 2021 as efforts to contain a vast blaze scorching southern Oregon failed to progress, and dangerous dry lightning storms were forecast in California. The Bootleg Fire near Oregon's border with California grew overnight to 240,000 acres -- larger than New York City, and by far the biggest active blaze in the US -- while remaining just seven percent contained.
PAYTON BRUNI, AFP Via Getty Images