Wildfires in Oregon, Washington prompt evacuations

Over the weekend, at least 19 different wildfires burning in Washington and Oregon prompted evacuations. Almost 300,000 acres are scorched, while some 5,000 firefighters are working throughout the region.

Oregon’s Cedar Creek Fire measured at more than 85,000 thousand acres Sunday, according to the Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal. High temperatures, strong winds and bone-dry conditions are hampering containment efforts. More than 2,000 homes and hundreds of commercial structures are at risk of burning.

In Washington, the Bolt Creek Fire has already burned more than 12 square miles of forestland about an hour and a half east of Seattle. Evacuation orders were issued for areas around several active fires in the two northwest states, but authorities said not everyone is quick to leave their homes. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office in Washington reported only half of those ordered to leave complied.

Power was cut to several transmission lines in Oregon over the weekend in an effort to prevent more fires. It’s a lesson learned from the state’s southern neighbor, California, where crews are trying to extinguish several more massive fires.

The Fairview Fire, located southeast of Los Angeles, has already burned more than 28,000 acres. The Mosquito Fire in Northern California has grown to more than 41,000 acres.

Scientists say climate change and a lack of controlled burns are contributing to more and larger wildfires.

This weekend alone, there were more than 400 square miles of active, uncontained fires burning in Washington and Oregon. In the last five years, California has experienced the largest and most destructive fires in state history.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.