Firefighters battle wildfires across western US and Canada

Wildfires are tearing across the western U.S. and Canada, forcing evacuations and threatening homes as hot, dry conditions fuel the flames.

Temperatures are running 10 to 20 degrees above normal in parts of California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, drying out forests and grasslands. Lightning strikes and human activity have sparked dozens of fires, many in remote areas that are hard to reach with crews. These fires are part of a worsening trend: longer fire seasons, bigger blazes and more smoke drifting across North America. Last year, Canadian wildfires burned more than 45 million acres, sending smoke as far as New York City. This year’s fire season started early because winter snow melted quickly and spring rains never showed up.

More than two dozen active fires are burning in Washington and Oregon alone, with thick smoke reducing visibility to less than a mile in some towns. In British Columbia, over 30,000 people have been told to leave their homes as fires creep closer to communities. Firefighters are stretched thin, with some crews working 72-hour shifts. The U.S. Forest Service says it has only half the aircraft it needs to drop water and retardant. Residents who evacuated are waiting to see if their homes survived, while others pack go-bags and watch evacuation maps.

Forecasters warn that conditions will get worse before they improve. Hot, windy weather is expected to last through the week, spreading flames faster and making it harder to contain them. Fire officials say the best hope is a shift in weather—rain or cooler temperatures—before the fires reach populated areas. Until then, residents are bracing for more evacuations and hoping their communities won’t be next.