Wildfires Sweep Across Western U.S.

August 25,2013

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Groveland, Calif.

A firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District uses a drip torch to light a back fire while battling the Rim Fire on Aug. 21, 2013 in Groveland, Calif. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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About 50 major fires are burning across several western U.S. states, as firefighters scramble to battle flames threatening hundreds of businesses and homes.
Hot and dry conditions in the West have made the region particularly susceptible to wildfires. So far, federal agencies have spent more than $1 billion attending to the 33,000 fires that have burned this year. The national average per year over the last 10 years is $1.4 billion, NBC News reports.
Here is a state-by-state look at some of the major fires throughout the region.

Wildfire in Northern CA Forced 80 Homes to Flee

Firefighters are gaining ground on a wildfire in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that destroyed a home and threatened 80 others.The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says the fire was sparked around 3 p.m. Saturday in El Dorado County, northeast of Sacramento.
It quickly spread to 45 acres due to dry conditions and strong wind. It is 50 percent contained.
Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant says the fire forced residents of 80 homes in Georgetown to flee. The mountain town of 2400 began as a gold camp in the 1800s.
Evacuation orders have been lifted.

Evacuated Residents Near Lolo, Mont. Allowed to Return

Fire managers at the Lolo Creek Complex of fires near the town of Lolo have reopened U.S. Highway 12 and allowed residents to return to about 250 homes.
Officials ended the evacuation and opened the road at 6 a.m. Saturday, fire spokeswoman Dixie Dies said. But she said there's still a lot of work to do because fire is burning strong through timber on the north edge. Erratic winds are expected Saturday and Sunday, with gusts up to 40 mph.
"The weather is not in our favor the next few days," Dies said.
About 650 personnel are assigned to the blaze and more are arriving, she said. Nine helicopters are also taking part.
The 17-square-mile complex of fires that started by lightning Aug. 18 is 40 percent contained. Five homes have been destroyed. Only minor injuries have been reported by firefighters, Dies said, with two or three stung by wasps.
(MORE: Yosemite Wildfire Update)
She said firefighters initially concentrated on stopping the fire from reaching homes on its east side, but now firefighters will be working on the northern edge of the fire. She said that area is more inaccessible and will be more difficult to fight.
"The fire is not done by a long ways," she said.
Elsewhere, the Rock Creek Fire south of Red Lodge is 1.5 square miles and 20 percent contained. U.S. Highway 212 remains open with a speed limit of 35 mph through the fire area.
The highway, popular among tourists, takes motorists from Red Lodge over the 10,947-foot Beartooth Pass on the way to Cooke City and the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
Fire crews have been assigned to protect structures along the highway near Red Lodge.
Fire spokeswoman Asano Otsu said about 216 people are assigned to the blaze and two helicopters are also helping. No structures have been lost.
She said overcast weather on Saturday helped firefighters.
"I would say it's been favorable to fire suppression plans," Otsu said. "Cloud coverage always is nice because it keeps the relative humidity high."

Fire Near Leavenworth, Wash. 50 Percent Contained

The wildfire burning near Leavenworth is now 50 percent contained.
Fire officials say good progress is being made fighting the Eagle Fire, which has burned about 2 square miles in steep terrain.
About 810 firefighters are assigned to the fire.
The Eagle Fire began on National Forest lands on Monday, Aug. 19, and grew quickly.
Although there is still some smoke in the area, all businesses and visitor facilities are open in the Leavenworth area.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
There are currently 65 residences or structures along Eagle Creek Road under Level 2 evacuation, which means people who live there should be ready to leave at a moment's notice because there is a possibility of the fire reaching the area.

Central Idaho Wildfire 75 Percent Contained

A central Idaho wildfire is 75 percent contained and all evacuation notices in the resort area of Ketchum and Sun Valley have been lifted.
Fire managers say the 173-square-mile Beaver Creek Fire on Saturday hasn't grown in the last day and that some of the remaining 1,200 personnel assigned to the blaze are leaving for other fires.
Fire spokeswoman Jonetta Trued says firefighters are working on the north and south end of the fire and expect to have it contained by Aug. 31.
The lightning-caused fire started Aug. 7 and destroyed one home and some outbuildings. Only minor injuries have been reported by firefighters.
About 50 miles west the tiny mountain town of Atlanta remains under mandatory evacuation orders due to the 25-square-mile Little Queens Fire burning through timber.
The Associate Press contributed to this report.