The American West is facing one of the most dangerous and overwhelming fire seasons in history due to high temperatures, strong winds, dry forests and lightning storms. In California, more than 3 million acres have been blackened so far, 10 times the total of the same time last year. The fires have incinerated entire forests in a matter of hours, moving at unprecedented rates. More than 3,000 homes and other structures have been destroyed and at least 11 lives lost, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Firestorms this week swept through Oregon and Washington, leveling entire towns.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 10, 2020 20:10 UTC