The massive York Fire, burning across California and Nevada, continues to generate extreme fire behaviour, creating dangerous conditions for firefighters and spawning "fire whirls" – spinning columns of fire associated with intense heat and turbulent winds, CNN reported. The blaze, which started in the New York Mountain Range of California's Mojave National Preserve, has consumed 80,000 acres and is California's largest fire of the year. As of August 1 morning, it is 23% contained.
This fire is one of dozens burning across the country, with some areas facing unrelenting heat. The firefighting efforts have been challenging due to sustained temperatures over 100 degrees. Fire whirls, similar to fire tornadoes, have been observed, making the situation more unpredictable and difficult to control. The Carr Fire in 2018 serves as a grim reminder of the potential destructive power of these fire whirls, with winds over 140 mph causing fatalities and significant property damage.
The struggle to control the York Fire has led to smoke reaching into Nevada and southern Utah, impacting air quality in East Las Vegas, Boulder City, and Henderson. The incident reflects the severity of the ongoing wildfires, with 64 active large fires burning across nine states, and more than 11,500 wildland firefighters and personnel assigned to incidents throughout the US. Despite the efforts to control the fires, 1.1 mn acres have already burned in 2023, albeit below the figures recorded by the end of July in 2022.
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