Two major wildfires erupted in California in late July, prompting evacuations and sending smoke across the western states.
The York Fire started Friday in Caruther Canyon in Mojave National Preserve, San Bernardino County, and spread quickly due to “erratic winds,” the Associated Press (AP) reported Sunday. The fire spread across state lines into Nevada, sending smoke as far east as the Las Vegas Valley.
Flames were reported to reach 20 feet into the air, and left over 110 square smiles of scrub, juniper and Joshua Tree woodland charred, the outlet reported, citing an incident update. The York Fire was 0% contained, and spurred on by high winds and plentiful fuel sources in the area, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said in an update Sunday morning.
#YorkFire Mojave National Preserve pic.twitter.com/0Civsa5BXw
— Daniel Magallanes (@dmags1981) July 30, 2023
Further southwest, the Bonny Fire in Riverside County forced more than 1,300 people to evacuate their homes Saturday, AP continued. Similar conditions in the region have propelled the fire onwards, with thunderstorms forecast for Monday bringing more risky conditions.
Rock Canyon Road #bonnyfire pic.twitter.com/oGsodq3rND
— FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) July 28, 2023
One firefighter suffered injuries in the Bonny Fire, which was 5% contained as of Sunday night, according to the outlet. (RELATED: Officials Warn Wildfire Smoke May Last Through September In US)
Aside from California, wildfires have burned or are currently burning in Montana, Washington, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona and Texas, all from Sunday into Monday morning, according to BLM updates.