Oregon Wildfires Destroy Homes and Businesses and Force Hundreds to Evacuate

Drought-parched timber and brush lands, the result of record-breaking temperatures and dry and windy weather in south-central Oregon, have been the fuel source for a swiftly spreading wildfire that on Wednesday was in its ninth day. Only 5% around the perimeter is contained. The so-called Bootleg fire has burnt through more than 212,000 acres and has destroyed 21 homes and 54 other structures. The fire is currently threatening nearly 2,000 more homes and has displaced hundreds of residences, with no signs of slowing. More than 1,300 personnel were assigned to battle the wildfire, which is the seventh largest on record in Oregon since 1900, according to state forestry figures. According to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, in all, 60 large fires have consumed more than 1 million acres (404,680 hectares) across 12 states this season.