Fire in the Forest
| Updated: Jun 27, 2016, 11:00 AM IST
Wildfires are turning into infernos, with blazes spreading over enormous stretches of industrial and residential land, particularly in the United States. Over the past five years, moderate to intense wildfires have wiped out larges swathes of Oklahoma, Washington, Colorado, and Arizona, and British Columbia in Canada.
Okanogan Complex Wildfire flares up on August 21, 2015 in the hills near Omak, Washington. It claimed the lives of three firefighters, critically injured 10, and threatened homes throughout the area.
Okanogan Complex Wildfire flares up on August 21, 2015 in the hills near Omak, Washington. It claimed the lives of three firefighters, critically injured 10, and threatened homes throughout the area.
(Photograph:Getty)
A firefighter uses a hose to douse Rim Fire, which erupted during the California wildfire season, when a hunter lost control of an illegal campfire in August 2013.
A firefighter uses a hose to douse Rim Fire, which erupted during the California wildfire season, when a hunter lost control of an illegal campfire in August 2013.
(Photograph:Getty)
A makeshift fire truck puts water on Okanogan Complex Wildfire that started in August 2015 and later merged with two of the fires near Conconully.
A makeshift fire truck puts water on Okanogan Complex Wildfire that started in August 2015 and later merged with two of the fires near Conconully.
(Photograph:Getty)
Home foundations and shells of vehicles are all that remain in a neighborhood destroyed by a wildfire in May 2016 in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The fire forced 80,000 residents to evacuate the area.
Home foundations and shells of vehicles are all that remain in a neighborhood destroyed by a wildfire in May 2016 in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The fire forced 80,000 residents to evacuate the area.
(Photograph:Getty)
;
Rim Fire consumes trees along the US highway in Groveland, California. A total of 11 residences, three commercial buildings, and 98 out-buildings were destroyed in the blaze.
Rim Fire consumes trees along the US highway in Groveland, California. A total of 11 residences, three commercial buildings, and 98 out-buildings were destroyed in the blaze.
(Photograph:Getty)
Rim Fire in August 2013 threatened 2,500 homes outside Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters were deployed to douse the flames.
The Rim Fire in August 2013 threatened 2,500 homes outside Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters were deployed to douse the flames.
(Photograph:Getty)
A Sikorsky S-64 Aircrane firefighting helicopter drops water on a hotspot near Laporte, Colorado. High Park Fire in Larimer County set ablaze almost 37,000 acres in June 2012 .
A Sikorsky S-64 Aircrane firefighting helicopter drops water on a hotspot near Laporte, Colorado. High Park Fire in Larimer County set ablaze almost 37,000 acres in June 2012 .
(Photograph:Getty)
The 2011 Texas Wildfire started because of the Southern US drought and was spread by the unusual convergence of strong winds, unseasonably warm temperatures, and low humidity.
The 2011 Texas Wildfire started because of the Southern US drought and was spread by the unusual convergence of strong winds, unseasonably warm temperatures, and low humidity.
(Photograph:Getty)
More than 6,000 acres burned in Fourmile Canyon fire that started in September 2010 near Boulder, Colorado.
More than 6,000 acres burned in Fourmile Canyon fire that started in September 2010 near Boulder, Colorado.
(Photograph:Getty)
Homes go up in flames at Valley Oaks mobile home park along Reche Road, west of Interstate 15, as Rice Fire destroys at least 100 homes in October 2007 near Fallbrook, California.
Homes go up in flames at Valley Oaks mobile home park along Reche Road, west of Interstate 15, as Rice Fire destroys at least 100 homes in October 2007 near Fallbrook, California.
(Photograph:Getty)
Rice Fire in Fallbrook, California, spirals out of control. The wildfire that started in October-November 2007 destroyed at least 100 homes.
Rice Fire in Fallbrook, California, spirals out of control. The wildfire that started in October-November 2007 destroyed at least 100 homes.