Western wildfires live updates: Almeda Fire destroys more than 2,300 homes

Deadly wildfires continued ravaging portions of the western United States on Tuesday, stoked by gusty winds and dry conditions.

Although some weather relief appears to be en route in the coming days, millions of acres have already burned, particularly in California, Oregon and Washington. Homes and businesses have been engulfed, and injuries to both residents and first responders continue mounting.

Here are the latest updates:

Mariners-Giants series moved to SF because of poor Seattle air quality

Update 11:35 p.m. EDT Sept. 15: The two-game baseball series between the Seattle Mariners and the San Francisco Giants, which was scheduled to begin Tuesday in Seattle, was postponed because of poor air quality caused by wildfires on the West Coast.

The games will be made up at Oracle Park in San Francisco, although the Mariners will be the home team. Wednesday’s game will be played at 6:45 p.m. PDT. while Thursday’s game will be played at 1:10 p.m. EDT.

“Unfortunately, the air quality in Seattle has gotten worse overnight here at T-Mobile Park and it is not clearing at all today,” Mariners President Kevin Mather said in a statement. "To assure the games could be played, the best solution was to relocate to the Bay Area. We appreciate the Giants' willingness to work with us on this challenge, and we look forward to returning to T-Mobile Park on Friday to host the (San Diego) Padres.

Almeda Fire destroys more than 2,300 homes in Oregon

Update 8:47 p.m. EDT Sept. 15: The number of homes destroyed by the Almeda Fire in Oregon has increased to at least 2,357 residential structures destroyed and another 57 damaged, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office released the new figures after getting a summary from the department, the Mail Tribune of Medford reported. That number is nearly four times the original estimate by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the newspaper reported.

The operation has evaluated 2,797 structures so far, the Mail Tribune reported.

Air quality advisory extended through Thursday in Oregon, Washington

Update 3:15 p.m. EDT Sept. 15: Officials extended a previously issued air quality advisory for Oregon and southwest Washington due to lingering smoke from fires burning across the West Coast.

Officials said smoke levels meant air quality was fluctuating between being unhealthy and hazardous throughout the region.

How have you been feeling with the smoke in the air?

Posted by KIRO 7 News on Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air suspend flights to Portland, Oregon, and Spokane, Washington

Update 1:25 p.m. EDT Sept. 15: Officials the suspension Monday of all flights to several airports in the Pacific Northwest until at least 3 p.m. PT Tuesday due to heavy wildfire smoke.

Officials announced the cancellation of travel to and from Portland, Spokane and several smaller airports, including those in Eugene, Medford and Redmond in Oregon and Pasco and Walla Walla in Washington.

“Improving weather conditions in the coming days could begin to dissipate smoke in Portland and Spokane,” officials said Monday in a news release. “However, other airports in the West could be impacted by drifting smoke.”

Nearly 70,000 acres burned in Idaho’s Woodhead Fire

Update 12:15 p.m. EDT Sept. 15: Firefighters in Idaho are battling a wildfire that has scorched nearly 70,000 acres in the western part of the state.

The Woodhead Fire began Sept. 7 northwest of Cambridge and quickly spread. Officials in Adams County have since ordered the evacuations of people living near the blaze.

DUE TO AN ACTIVE FIRE THREAT LEVEL TWO EVACUATIONS HAS BEEN ISSUED FROM WILDHORSE, DITCH CREEK AND BEAR AT MILEPOST 12. THERE WILL BE DOOR TO DOOR NOTIFICATIONS.

Posted by Adams County Sheriff's Office on Monday, September 14, 2020

More than a dozen fires were burning Tuesday across Idaho.

Air quality remains unhealthy across Washington

Update 9:20 a.m. EDT Sept. 15: Officials with the National Weather Service’s Seattle office said air quality remained in either very unhealthy or hazardous ranges Tuesday morning due to ongoing wildfires across the West Coast.

Forecasters said they expect to see an improvement in air quality in the region later this week, likely beginning Thursday or Friday.

Drone footage shows aftermath of Oregon’s Almeda Fire

Update 8:55 a.m. EDT Sept. 15: Drone footage shared Monday by Reuters showed the effect of the Almeda Fire burning in Jackson County, Oregon.

Officials said the fire, which has burned at least 3,200 acres, was 70% contained Monday. The blaze has claimed four lives and damaged at least 700 homes and commercial buildings.

Smoke stretches to east coast

Updated 7:13 a.m. EDT Sept 15: Smoke from the west coast wildfires has made its way across the country. Virginia has a haze of smoke in the air, as does New York City, NBC News reported.

At least 36 people have died, CNN reported, with more than half of the deaths coming from the North Complex Fire.

Weather is expected to continue fueling the flames as winds in some areas of California are expected to be as high as 40 mph, according to CNN.

There are 87 large fires burning in 10 states, including 25 in California, the National Interagency Fire Center reported.

California’s Bobcat Fire reaches 38K acres, 3% containment

Published 1:28 a.m. EDT Sept. 15: California’s Bobcat Fire, located in the Angeles National Forest, has reached 38,299 acres and is now 3% contained, officials said late Monday.

“The south end of the fire is active with flanking and spotting,” according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s website. “The fire crossed the contingency line and is burning on the ridge line above the east side of Little Santa Anita Canyon.”

Officials said that overnight, crews will continue “to protect the communities south of the fire by continuing strategic firing operations and utilizing fixed wing aircraft.”

Read more here.

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