Authorities on Monday arrested a 37-year-old man they suspect of starting one of the devastating wildfires tearing through eastern Washington state as many residents were left wondering if their homes had survived.

Washington is facing a destructive fire season, with wildfires burning about 425,000 acres, according to officials.

Wildfires burning across more than a quarter of a million acres in Washington state have prompted widespread evacuations, while other US states are enduring record-breaking heat.