wildfires

Bone-dry and windy conditions across the Midwest and Great Plains are only making it easier for wildfires to spark. The worsening drought factors mount pressure on volunteer firefighters that respond when wildfires occur.

William Simpson wants to deploy the wild horses across public lands, to live and graze — and ultimately, prevent the worst wildfires.

Gusty winds and dry conditions starting in the middle of last week propelled the fire from 18,000 acres to 86,000, prompting evacuations and power outages as firefighters worked to control the blaze.

After 18 months of building, the Holetts were nearly set to move into their dream home in Dayton, Mont. It took their life savings to build the cabin. It took one wildfire to burn it down in minutes.

The death toll doubled when two additional bodies were found within the burn zone of the McKinney Fire, the state's largest blaze of the year.

Crews battling the largest wildfire so far this year in California braced for thunderstorms and hot, windy conditions that created the potential for additional fire growth Sunday.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as the McKinney fire intensified. In Montana, the Elmo fire grew to more than 11 square miles. Other states are also dealing with wildfires.

Many Western states lack building codes for wildfire-resistant homes. But a new study finds the costs can be minimal, undercutting long-held building industry arguments against such codes.

As drought and extreme temperatures persist across the region, some residents in Northwestern Oklahoma are evacuating their homes as a wildfire continues to scorch thousands of acres. Firefighters are hoping the rain forecasted for the end of the week will offer some relief.

Crews battling the Oak Fire in California's Mariposa County got a break from increased humidity levels. The blaze, which forced the evacuations of thousands, was 26% contained, Cal Fire said.