Extreme heat and dry conditions have fueled rapid wildfire growth across the western United States and southwestern Canada, prompting mass evacuations and killing at least three firefighting personnel. The National Interagency Fire Center reported 183 new fires since Saturday, with more than 30,000 firefighters tackling over 94 large blazes nationwide.
In Utah, two pilots died when their helicopter crashed while fighting the Widemouth 2 Fire in Fishlake National Forest. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause. Oregon also lost a bulldozer operator to the Wrights Spring Fire. In Washington state, fires near Spokane destroyed or damaged more than 900 homes, though evacuation orders have begun lifting in some areas. A 37-year-old Spokane resident was arrested on suspicion of arson.
British Columbia declared a state of emergency Saturday, with more than 100 active wildfires and roughly 18,000 people ordered to evacuate. Canada's federal government has approved emergency aid to the province.