Rapidly spreading wildfires across California and Nevada have forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate, with dangerous heat conditions intensifying the crisis.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for thousands of residents in both states, while extreme temperatures and poor air quality added to the region’s challenges.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in response to the Davis Fire, which has prompted the evacuation of around 20,000 people near Reno. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom also declared an emergency in San Bernardino County due to the escalating Line Fire, which has led to evacuation orders for over 11,000 people. These fires are part of a larger pattern, with seven major wildfires burning across California and 68 active fires spreading throughout the western US.
The Line Fire, located in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, has already burned nearly 17,500 acres and threatens more than 35,000 structures. Three firefighters have been injured while battling the blaze. In Northern California, the Boyles Fire near Clearlake has led to the evacuation of 4,000 residents and destroyed around 30 structures and several vehicles.
In Nevada, the wind-driven Davis Fire has spread to 6,500 acres, damaging multiple structures and leaving thousands without power. Emergency services continue to battle the out-of-control fire, with heavy aerial resources deployed to contain it.
Some of the fires, including the Line Fire, have generated their own weather systems, creating pyrocumulonimbus clouds that form thunderstorms. These storms, combined with strong winds, have made it more difficult for firefighters to control the spread of the flames. As extreme heat persists, with temperatures in Southern California reaching 112°F, air quality advisories and red flag warnings remain in effect.
Local authorities and relief organizations, including the American Red Cross, are providing shelter and support for those displaced by the fires. However, the situation remains precarious as dry conditions, high winds, and potential thunderstorms continue to pose significant challenges to firefighting efforts.
The New York Post, Axios, and CNN contributed to this report.