U.S. wildfire season exceeds 10-year average as 99 large fires burn
Wildfires in Washington and Oregon have forced evacuations, caused power outages and burned hundreds of thousands of acres as firefighters battle dozens of massive fires across the Pacific Northwest. Why it matters: The blazes are among 99 active large fires burning across the U.S. as this year's wildfire season exceeds the 10-year average for both the number of fires and acres burned, according…
The 2023 wildfire season in the United States has surpassed the 10-year average in terms of both the number of active fires and acres burned, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. As of now, 99 large fires are raging across the country, burning over 5.2 million acres. Washington state is currently battling 17 active large fires, with the Spokane Complex Fire forcing the evacuation of 60,000 people, disrupting power to thousands more, and destroying approximately 640 structures.
Oregon has the highest number of active large fires, with 32, setting a modern record for acres burned. Climate change is contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of these wildfires, making them harder to contain and exacerbating the situation.
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