MORE THAN 100 MILLION AMERICANS ARE AT RISK FROM WILDFIRES RAGING IN 13 US STATES

Wed 20 July 2022:

In 13 US states, there are currently 85 major wildfires burning, scorching more than 3 million acres, while more than 100 million Americans live in areas with heat advisories or warnings.

On Tuesday, authorities reported 14 more large fires, including seven in Texas, two in Alaska, two in Washington, and one in each of Arizona and California.

To fight fires across the US, more than 6,800 wildland firefighters and other support personnel were dispatched. According to met officials, the record-breaking heat will last for a week and temperatures could reach 110 degrees in some locations, according to The Guardian.

Additionally, the northeast is anticipated to suffer from extreme heat. Between Philadelphia and Boston, the heat index is expected to reach close to 100º F on Wednesday (July 20).

In numerous locations, the National Western Service (NWS) has issued a ‘red flag warning’ on the potential of wildfires. As per the officials, “strong winds and low humidity would likely support the rapid spread of any fires that develop,” in the area spanning from southwest Wyoming to western Nebraska, Guardian reported.

The NWS also issued a red flag warning for the entirety of north and central Texas due to the possibility of intense fire behaviour due to strong winds and low humidity.

More than 500 wildfires have broken out in Alaska since early April, posing a serious risk to the state and forcing numerous evacuations.

Washington politicians are unlikely to pass any legislation that could aid in addressing the climate crisis, despite the fact that the US and many other nations have been suffering from record-high temperatures.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES | FILE PHOTO

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