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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Little respite from US wildfires | Little respite from US wildfires |
| (4 days later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Wildfires have also damaged California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. | Wildfires have also damaged California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. |
| Many of the blazes have been fuelled by high winds and hot, dry conditions. | Many of the blazes have been fuelled by high winds and hot, dry conditions. |
| Temperatures as high as 38C (100F) have followed a drier-than-normal winter, creating what many firefighters described as the "perfect wildfire season". | Temperatures as high as 38C (100F) have followed a drier-than-normal winter, creating what many firefighters described as the "perfect wildfire season". |
| See map of spreading US wildfires | See map of spreading US wildfires |
| The heatwave is expected to spread to the east of the country later this week. | The heatwave is expected to spread to the east of the country later this week. |
| 'Not over yet' | '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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | "It came out of the canyon with a vengeance," Mr Lowe said. |
| "This thing blew up because of extreme hot temperatures and the winds." | "This thing blew up because of extreme hot temperatures and the winds." |
| Lightning strikes | Lightning 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). |
| 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 | The hot, dry weather conditions have fuelled the wildfires |
| Last week, another wildfire still active in the state killed three people. | 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. |
| 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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