U.S. Reaches Highest Level of Wildfire Activity as Fires Destroy Homes, Prompt New Evacuations
At a Glance Drought, heat and wind are fueling the fires.Washington's Red Apple Fire prompted new evacuations.A fire burned near Paradise, California. The U.S. is now in the highest category of wildfire activity due to dozens of blazes in the West that are threatening and destroying homes and being fueled by relentless drought and heat. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) declared Wildland Fire Preparedness Level 5 (PL 5) on Wednesday, which makes more federal resources available for firefighting efforts....