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Wildfires rage across US states Little respite from US wildfires
(about 5 hours later)
Wildfires are sweeping across several US states, threatening homes and closing main roads. Overnight rain and cooler temperatures have slowed a wildfire in South Dakota, as more than a dozen other fires sweep across the western United States.
One person has died and 27 homes have been destroyed in South Dakota's Black Hills, local officials said. The wildfire in South Dakota's Black Hills has burned some 28 sq km (11 sq miles) and killed one person trying to retrieve possessions from a home.
Residents of at least 50 properties had already fled the fire, which has burned across nine sq miles (23sq km) after it was sparked by lightning on Saturday. Wildfires have also damaged California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
Temperatures as high as 38C (100F) have followed a drier-than-normal winter, creating ideal conditions for fires. Many of the blazes have been fuelled by high winds and hot, dry conditions.
"This thing blew up because of extreme hot temperatures and the winds," Joe Lowe, South Dakota state wildland fire co-ordinator told the Associated Press news agency. Temperatures as high as 38C (100F) have followed a drier-than-normal winter, creating what many firefighters described as the "perfect wildfire season".
"It came out of the canyon with a vengeance," he said.
See map of spreading US wildfires See map of spreading US wildfires
California, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington state and Oregon have also been affected by fires, forcing many people to evacuate their homes. The heatwave is expected to spread to the east of the country later this week.
'Not over yet'
The change in weather in South Dakota gave firefighters a chance to reinforce their fire lines and take control of around 20% of the blaze.
Fire crews expect to have it fully contained by Thursday.
This fire could come back to life again Joe LoweS Dakota state wildfire co-ordinator
However, South Dakota state wildland fire co-ordinator Joe Lowe warned the conditions could shift again for the worse.
"This fire is not over yet," he said. "This fire could come back to life again."
The wildfire was started by lightning on Saturday, and by Monday had scorched around 28 sq km (11 sq miles) south-west of the town of Hot Springs.
At least 27 houses were destroyed and one person was killed when they went back to save their possessions from their home.
"It came out of the canyon with a vengeance," Mr Lowe said.
"This thing blew up because of extreme hot temperatures and the winds."
Lightning strikesLightning strikes
In Utah, the largest wildfire in state history has destroyed almost 300,000 acres (120,000 hectares).In Utah, the largest wildfire in state history has destroyed almost 300,000 acres (120,000 hectares).
Fire fighters are seeing fire behaviour they have never seen before - things are just igniting with a single spark Nancy UphamInyo National Forest
Several road accidents have occurred on a stretch of highway near Richfield, Utah, including one in which two people were killed. Highway patrols blamed poor visibility from smoke.Several road accidents have occurred on a stretch of highway near Richfield, Utah, including one in which two people were killed. Highway patrols blamed poor visibility from smoke.
The hot, dry weather conditions have fuelled the wildfires
Last week, another wildfire still active in the state killed three people.
More than 34,000 acres (13,800 hectares) have been scorched in California's Inyo National Forest and campgrounds had to be evacuated.More than 34,000 acres (13,800 hectares) have been scorched in California's Inyo National Forest and campgrounds had to be evacuated.
"Everything is very, very dry," said Nancy Upham, a spokeswoman for the Inyo National Forest.
The high summer temperatures follow an unusually mild winter"There are seasoned fire fighters who are seeing fire behaviour they have never seen before. Things are just igniting with a single spark."
In the Los Padres National Forest in southern California 11 firefighters were injured as they battled to save 22 homes.In the Los Padres National Forest in southern California 11 firefighters were injured as they battled to save 22 homes.
Residents were evacuated from nearly 300 properties over the weekend near Wenatchee, Washington, where high winds have fanned fires.Residents were evacuated from nearly 300 properties over the weekend near Wenatchee, Washington, where high winds have fanned fires.
In Nevada, some 1,500 evacuees were allowed home after a fire at an electrical substation shut down the inter-state highway and caused major disruptions to train services.In Nevada, some 1,500 evacuees were allowed home after a fire at an electrical substation shut down the inter-state highway and caused major disruptions to train services.
Many of the fires have been blamed on lightning strikes in tinder-dry forest areas, after a mild winter which saw lower-than-average rainfalls.Many of the fires have been blamed on lightning strikes in tinder-dry forest areas, after a mild winter which saw lower-than-average rainfalls.
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