The American West is battling a persistent wildfire season, with the Pacific Northwest bearing the brunt as dozens of massive blazes rage in Oregon and Washington, forcing residents from their homes and shutting down major roadways.
At least 29,000 firefighters were battling more than 100 uncontained large fires nationwide on Monday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Seven new blazes erupted on Sunday alone, adding to the strain.
This year’s fire season is shaping up to be quite destructive. Wildfires have already scorched more than 5.1 million acres across the country — at least a million acres more than the 10-year average for this time of year, the agency said.
With nearly half of the nation’s active large fires concentrated in Oregon and Washington, CNN is tracking the latest in maps, charts and satellite imagery.
The fires in the Pacific Northwest have blanketed the region with smoke, pushing the air quality index to unhealthy levels across Washington, especially for residents who are sensitive to particulate pollution.
