Tuesday Top of the Scroll: Wildfires erupt in Arizona and California in foreboding sign of intense summer
Scorching temperatures and desperately dry conditions set the stage for the rapid spread of several explosive wildfires that erupted over the weekend, forcing evacuations in California and Arizona. The blazes are among dozens that have broken out across the US south-west early in the summer, including a ferocious fire in New Mexico that became the worst in the state’s history. Officials say it’s a foreboding sign of what is shaping up to be another intense year of fire. … Roughly 60% of California is categorized in extreme drought … the conditions are 40% drier than they were at this time of year in 2016 – one of the driest years on record in the region.
Related articles:
- The Washington Post: California’s sequoia trees struggle to survive climate change, severe wildfires
- Arizona Republic: As wildfires threaten tribal lands, Navajo President Nez meets with Biden about aid
- Reuters: Southern California mountain communities residents told to flee wildfire
- Fox 5 San – Diego: Is there still a fire season in California?
- Axios: 33 large wildfires rage across 5 U.S. states
- Deseret News: New Mexico wildfires rage, signaling a horrific start to fire season