2007 Western North American Heat Wave - Wildfires, Deaths, and Freeway Closures

Wildfires, Deaths, and Freeway Closures

See also: California wildfires of October 2007

Firefighters blamed the heat and existing record-breaking drought for dozens of wildfires in the West.

The area was in the midst of an unusual drought; in Los Angeles, California, with only 3.21 in (82 mm) of precipitation in the entire 2006-2007 rain season, it was, at that time, the driest year on record, receiving less rain than Death Valley in a normal year.

Wildfires, such as the destructive Angora Fire, killed dozens, forced the closure of major freeways, and destroyed homes.

In central Utah, the largest wildfire in state history consumed 283,000 acres (1,150 km2) or 468 square miles (114,526 hectares) and forced the closure of I-15 and I-70.

In northeastern Utah a wildfire moving at the speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) killed three men on a farm.

Portions of suburban Salt Lake City in Herriman were forced to evacuate as fires threatened their homes.

I-80 was closed in northern Nevada as fires burned a combined total of 55 square miles (144 square kilometres) and forced evacuations near Winnemucca.