Wildfires rip through five states

Wildfires have destroyed homes in Oregon and Idaho, forced thousands of evacuations throughout the region and left at least 9,000 people without power in Washington.

The fires are being fuelled by drought conditions and strong winds, which is posing problems for firefighters trying to contain the flames.

Firefighters also mopped up a 189-acre fire that started Friday in Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles. Together, they have burned nearly 89,000 acres and the blaze is only five percent contained.

The blazes have destroyed more than 50 structures, forced about 1,500 residents to flee and scorched more than 155 square miles.

One of the fires in the complex was blamed last week for destroying a house and triggering the evacuation of several homes near the community of Wieppe, northeast of Kamiah, according to the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office.

In Montebello, a man was charged with unlawfully causing a fire after a blaze burned 370 acres on Monday, damaging 10 utility poles and leaving about 60 people without power, CNN affiliate KABC reported.

Fire crews across the Northwest were hoping to secure lines around other wildfires burning in Idaho and Oregon.

However, officials said the exact number of homes, businesses and other structures lost is not yet known.

Cooler temperatures on Saturday helped some, but most fires remained active thanks to erratic winds and little moisture.

Fire officials say that over the weekend smoke from the fire drifted into the San Francisco Bay Area and especially east of the city, where it was trapped in valleys for several days, causing hazy skies and breathing difficulties for some.

An earlier, larger fire in the same area was fully contained Friday more than two weeks after it broke out.

Gov. Kate Brown used her authority Friday to mobilize fire crews from across the state.

Chelan County Emergency Management says up to 1,500 people have received level 3 evacuation notices. The focus Monday will be on the fire’s southern and eastern perimeter to stop the fire from reaching the town of Glenwood, Wash.

Concerned Grant County residents file in to the Grant Union Junior-Senior High School gym for an update on the Canyon Creek Complex Fire. The facility isn’t threatened by wildfire, but state officials said they wanted to allow staff to support families and neighbors in the Kamiah area.

Firefighters are also still dealing with the Wolverine Fire near Lucerne.

The biggest fire by far is burning in the southwest corner of Idaho.

As of Saturday, the fire was more than 2,600 acres in size and 89 percent contained. By Sunday, it was 25% contained, KTVB-TV reported. Emergency crews’ access to the property was blocked by the fire.

He said over 40 engines with career firefighters from throughout the state are here to help – coming from areas such as Hood River, Portland, Toledo, Bend and elsewhere.