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U.S. NEWS Monday 11 SepteMber 2017

Wildfire smoke clearing in US West as storms move through

By KEITH RIDLER fires on Friday to burn fuel
Associated Press ahead of the blaze and
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Storms have greatly reduced the
brought cooler and wetter danger of the fire’s spread
weather into the Western to the north.
and Northwestern U.S. this Officials say the fire has
weekend, breaking up a burned in a mosaic pat-
temperature inversion that tern, and some areas with-
had blanketed much of in the perimeter of the fire
the region with acrid smoke have trees that should sur-
from dozens of wildfires. vive, keeping at least some
Officials at the National of the scenic gorge green.
Interagency Fire Center
in Boise said this weekend CALIFORNIA
they expected fire activ- A wildfire burning for more
ity to decrease over the than two weeks in far north-
next several weeks. Center western California contin-
spokeswoman Kari Cobb ues to chew through tim-
says air quality should im- ber even as crews increase
prove as the smoke-trap- containment.
ping inversion breaks up. Officials said Saturday that
“We should see it lifting the blaze near Helena, a
more today,” she said Sat- In this Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, photo, neighbors watch a wildfire burn through residential areas rural community that was
urday. near the mouth of Weber Canyon near Ogden, Utah. once a 19th century min-
“It’s predicted to be mostly (Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner via AP) ing camp, has consumed
gone by tomorrow in most kilometer) fire near Lincoln the border into Canada A wildfire burning in the Co- nearly 32 square miles (83
of the West.” toward them. late last month with flames lumbia River Gorge Nation- square kilometers) of forest.
The center says there are fueled by heavy dead and al Scenic Area is holding It’s 40 percent contained.
67 active large wildfires be- IDAHO down timber. at about 52 square miles Evacuation orders remain
ing fought. At least four high school Officials say the fire is about (135 square kilometers) but in place for several homes.
A look wildfires across the football games were can- 40 percent contained but residents in communities In Central California, a fire
region: celled Friday and another rugged terrain is hamper- in three counties remain on the western edge of
13 postponed due to smoke ing firefighting efforts. under evacuation notices the Sierra is half contained
MONTANA from wildfires that the state About 200 firefighters are and those in other commu- after burning nearly 40
Firefighters in drought-strick- Department of Health and assigned to that fire. nities have been told to be square miles (102 square ki-
en Montana used sprinklers Welfare said was so bad ready to flee. lometers) of dry brush and
and hoses on Saturday to children and teens should OREGON Officials say firefighters set trees near Springville.q
try to protect strategic lo- be kept indoors and activi-
cations near some of the ties like football and soccer
over two dozen wildfires avoided.
burning in the state that Some of those games were
have forced more people rescheduled for Saturday,
from their homes. and state officials said air
A “rain for rent” system quality conditions had im-
was being used in Glacier proved enough that they
National Park, including lifted a statewide Air Qual-
around Lake McDonald ity Forecast and Caution.
Lodge, to increase humid- IOfficials say the fire on
ity in the immediate area. Saturday had consumed
That means firefighters about 126 square miles
were using sprinklers to re- (326 square kilometers).
charge a swamp on the
perimeter of a 176-square- WASHINGTON
mile (456-square-kilometer) A 165-square-mile
fire burning near Seeley (427-square-kilometer)
Lake. About a dozen peo- wildfire burning within the
ple were ordered to evac- Pasayten Wilderness about
uate their homes Friday 12 miles (19 kilometers)
night after very warm and north of Mazama is the
dry conditions pushed a largest wildfire in Washing-
37-square-mile (93-square- ton state. It also crossed