(Reuters) -Winds and lightning strikes have sparked and fanned wildfires across the Pacific Northwest. The largest fire currently burning in the U.S. is rapidly expanding. This wildfire near the Oregon-Idaho border highlights the alarming Oregon wildfire size. #OregonWildfireSize
The Durkee Fire near Huntington, Oregon, has scorched 600 square miles, more than half the size of Rhode Island. Authorities said it threatens several towns.
The blaze, set off by lightning on July 17, spread rapidly due to 60 mph wind gusts. Officials said the fire was only 20% contained on Friday.
While there is zero chance of rain through next week, winds have dropped and cooler air is in store, said meteorologist Marc Chenard of the National Weather Service.
“Hopefully it gives firefighters a break,” he said.
As of Thursday, wildfires this year have burned almost 1 million acres (400,000 hectares) in Oregon and 125,900 acres in Washington, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center in Portland, Oregon.
In 2020, the worst year in recent memory, Oregon wildfires scorched more than 1.14 million acres, according to a tally by CBS TV affiliate KOIN. #OregonWildfireSize
In California, the Park Fire, believed to have been started by an arsonist, has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 residents in Butte County, about 100 miles northeast of Sacramento.
Furthermore, the economic impact of the Oregon wildfire size is substantial. Many homes and businesses are at risk.
