A week after wildfires began consuming thousands of acres of land in Oregon, firefighters are still working to contain some of the most destructive blazes in the state’s history.
Thirty-four fires are raging in the area, and more than 900,000 acres — an area bigger than Rhode Island — have burned in the state, according to Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management. The majority of the fires are in the westernmost part of the state along the Cascade mountains.
Much of the state remains under an air quality alert as smoky skies have yet to clear in the region. Smoke levels are expected to remain at unhealthy levels through at least Tuesday.
Many school districts have announced closures due to the hazardous conditions.
Fog combined with smoke has kept temperatures cooler in the state and aided in suppressing some fires. At least 10 people have died, according to reports, and countless homes and businesses have been destroyed.
Thousands forced to flee as fires rage
Red sky and thick smoke are seen in Salem City
Some residents remain to protect their properties
Entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes
Death toll expected to climb in coming days
Resident surveys the remnants of her home
The frame of a burned car is seen by the Oak Park Motel
Fire retardant seen from above over a destroyed homes
A family sifts through the debris of their home
Residents return to evacuated homes to find items looted
Downed power lines in a destroyed neighborhood
A resident surveys the remains of his home
A donations center is set up by volunteers at an evacuation site
Heavy smoke fills the streets as a pedestrian crosses
An angel figurine salvaged from a destroyed home
Source: Business - cnbc.com
