Extreme heat wave hits US: massive wildfires in Washington | Watch

An extreme heat wave has hit the western United States, and in Washington state, massive wildfires have broken out in at least 10 locations, mainly in the city of Spokane. At least 600 buildings have been destroyed, thousands of residents have been evacuated, and the governor has declared a state of emergency. Firefighting forces and the National Guard are operating at the scenes, and the mass evacuation continues.

The extreme heat wave that struck Europe has now also reached the western United States, causing massive wildfires in Washington state. The fires broke out in at least 10 different locations, with the main focus in the city of Spokane. According to official sources, at least 600 buildings have been destroyed, and widespread power outages have left thousands of residents without electricity. The state governor, Bob Ferguson, has declared a state of emergency and a ban on lighting fires throughout Washington, and the National Guard has been deployed to the area. A National Guard official warned: "I think we will be shocked by the scenes that will be revealed as the day progresses." In Spokane, a mass evacuation of more than 409 families has begun, fleeing to shelter centers, with the convention center serving as a central shelter. The fire has spread over an area of about 5,390 acres, and strong winds carried it from the northeast, crossed the river, and began burning residential neighborhoods. There are no official reports of fatalities, but there are several injured whose condition has not yet been defined. Many firefighting and rescue forces are operating at the various scenes, and weather conditions are expected to make firefighting efforts more difficult.