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July 26, 2021

Dixie and Bootleg Wildfires Rage in West as Another Heat Wave Settles Across Much of U.S.
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In more climate news, Northern California's Dixie Fire has become the
state's largest blaze this year after it exploded in size in recent days
due to high winds and hot, dry temperatures. California fire officials
said the blaze had merged with the smaller Fly Fire over the weekend as
they continue to rage through Butte and Plumas counties, forcing
residents to evacuate. Dozens of structures have been destroyed, with
thousands more at risk. As of Sunday, both the Dixie and Fly fires had
burned a combined over 195,000 acres. Meanwhile, Oregon's Bootleg Fire
has destroyed more than 400,000 acres. Oregon Governor Kate Brown said
the climate crisis is "a hammer hitting us in the head."

Gov. Kate Brown: "We're going to see more of these wildfires. They're
hotter. They're more fierce and, obviously, much more challenging to
tackle. And they are a sign of the changing climate impacts. In the last
year, Oregon has had four federal emergency declarations. … Climate
change is here, it's real, and it's like a hammer hitting us in the
head. And we have to take action."

At least 86 active large wildfires in the U.S. have scorched nearly 1.5
million acres. This comes as another searing heat wave is set to hit
much of the country this week, including the Pacific Northwest, the
Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains.


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