Wildfires, Smoke and Flooding Batter 15 U.S. States

Wildfire smoke blanketed much of the eastern United States, severe flooding continued in Texas, and new wildfires erupted across the Pacific Northwest as 68 large fires burned in 15 states, Reuters reported.

Wildfire smoke and active blazes spread across multiple U.S. states as firefighters battled dozens of major fires. (Photo: National Interagency Fire Center Facebook)

Millions of Americans faced hazardous conditions and were advised to remain indoors as the country confronted three major weather-related emergencies simultaneously: wildfire smoke in the East, flooding in the South, and rapidly spreading fires in the West.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), firefighters are battling 68 major wildfires, including 17 new blazes that ignited in the Pacific Northwest following widespread lightning strikes.

More than 17,400 personnel, 140 helicopters, and four military C-130 air tanker crews have been deployed nationwide.

The NIFC reported that approximately 3.72 million acres (1.51 million hectares) have burned so far this year—more than 1 million acres above the total recorded at the same point last year.

Record-low snowpack and persistent drought have created unusually dry conditions typically not seen until mid-August. Jesse Berman, a professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, said overlapping disasters can significantly increase health risks.