Federal officials say 27 large wildfires are burning in the West. Hot, dry temperatures often combined with winds have made firefighting conditions difficult, destroying homes and forcing evacuations. Here’s a look at some of the fires burning Wednesday:
WASHINGTON
Residents have been allowed to return to their homes after a 7-square-mile wildfire prompted the evacuation of about two dozen homes in central Washington.
A fire spokesman, Trooper Jeff Sevigney, says the blaze about 7 miles north of Moses Lake destroyed one home and was not contained.
Officials say a large wildfire in south-central Washington has scorched about 275 square miles of brush and grassland.
OREGON
A wildfire burning southwest of Crater Lake spread to more than 700 acres, prompting an evacuation warning for some parts of Crater Lake National Park.
Fire spokeswoman Lucinda Nolan said crews are trying to keep the fire east of Pacific Crest Trail and west of Crater Lake Rim Drive.
The park remained open.
CALIFORNIA
A grass fire in a popular recreational area north of San Francisco has more than doubled in size in less than a day.
The blaze has charred more than 6 square miles along the border of Napa and Yolo counties since igniting Tuesday. It prompted the evacuation of an RV and tent campground off Highway 128 near Lake Berryessa.
No vineyards are threatened.
IDAHO
Firefighters are setting up sprinkler systems to protect buildings in the central Idaho town of Lowman as a wildfire expanded to 75 square miles.
Nearly 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze burning timber in rugged terrain.
Officials say slightly cooler weather and winds from the northwest should help firefighters trying to prevent flames from reaching the small town.
Fire spokeswoman Jennifer Myslivy says no evacuations have been ordered.
MONTANA
A western Montana wildfire grew overnight to 11 square miles in the Bitterroot National Forest.
The fire started on Sunday about 5 miles southwest of Hamilton and destroyed 14 homes along with dozens of outbuildings and some vehicles.
About 630 homes remain evacuated.
UTAH
Firefighters say about 30 homes in Utah have been evacuated due to a small wildfire that ignited near a neighborhood against a mountainside.
Dave Ulibarri with Salt Lake County’s Unified Fire Authority said the blaze started Wednesday near Draper and spread quickly through dry grass and brush.
Authorities say some fences were damaged, but no homes have been lost.
WYOMING
Progress has been made on fighting wildfires in western Wyoming, and most evacuation orders were lifted.
The only area still evacuated was Granite Creek in Teton County, where a wildfire was burning in Bridger-Teton National Forest. The fire has burned 46 square miles and is 84 percent contained.
