There are already more than 85 forest fires in the US 1:38
(CNN) -
With more than 95% of the western United States in drought, combined with a month of above-normal temperatures, an outlook released Sunday predicts the fire season could be bleak.
"The potential for significant above-normal fires is forecast to continue through September for much of the Northwest, the Northern Rocky Mountains, and northern portions of the Great Basin and Rocky Mountain geographic areas," the National Center wrote. Interagency of Fires.
In some places where this trend occurs, it could spread even further.
"Most of California's mountains and slopes are forecast to have above normal potential through September, with areas prone to offshore winds likely to retain above normal potential in October and November in Southern California." the fire department said.
91 wildfires are now burning across the United States: They have wiped out nearly 730,000 acres since they started
An entire town evacuated due to forest fires 3:03
The climate crisis has made the deadliest and most destructive wildfires part of the new normal.
In more than half of the drought areas in the west, conditions are considered extreme or exceptional.
The fire agency also highlights dry thunderstorm activity that added to the fire outbreaks in July.
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"Lightning activity continued across much of the West and Alaska through July. A profuse outbreak of dry storms occurred July 7-8 in the interior of the Northwest and Northern Rocky Mountains and ignited numerous large fires in Oregon, Washington. , Idaho and Montana ".
Before, during and after this event, the temperatures were incredibly warm and the humidity levels were extremely low.
This only helped in the fire potential for the region.
More than 800,000 hectares burned
With temperatures throughout the West continuing to hover between the mid-30s Celsius and over 37 Celsius, the fire danger will remain critical.
More than 12 million people in the West are currently under heat alerts.
Temperatures in the Northwest will be 15-20 degrees above normal this week as red flag warnings and dangerous fire conditions continue.
This fire season has already been amazing.
Photo of the Day - Bootleg Fire August 2, 2021
Engine crews on the night shift of the Bootleg Fire hold line during a firing operation.
Acreage 413,762 Containment 84%
Inciweb: https://t.co/tzwIg7vbFu #BootlegFire # FireYear2021
Photo Credit Magee Graeme Big State Wildfire pic.twitter.com/oGMfclgW56
- Bootleg Fire Information (@BootlegFireInfo) August 2, 2021
The Oregon smuggling fire is now the largest fire in the country and has burned more than 161,877 hectares, according to federal tracking site InciWeb.
Ninety-one large fires in the west have burned more than 728,000 hectares.
Fire conditions are now as bad as "mid-August burning conditions in a bad year," the fire center said based on field reports.
Wildfire activity has generally peaked in August.
Forest fires