Wildfires

Wildfires - USA

Strong and shifting winds are pushing an Oregon wildfire that has burned across 5,000 acres in the Columbia River Gorge, forcing the evacuation of a several dozen structures.

For the second time in as many days, residents of Atlanta, Idaho, were told to evacuate late Aug. 20 as the Little Queens Fire grew in strength, burning more than 9,500 acres and reported to be within two miles of the town's limits. Officials had previously said that they believed the fire was human-caused.

Meanwhile, the nation's highest wildfire priority, the Beaver Creek Fire, continues to rage in Blaine County, burning more than 106,000 acres. Close to 2,000 firefighters have been working the fire lines and as of the night of Aug. 20, the fire was 30 percent contained.

Approximately 1,800 homes still remain under mandatory evacuation in and around the communities of Ketchum, Hailey and Sun Valley. Another 8,150 remain on pre-evacuation notice.

Closer to Boise, wildfire erupted late Aug. 20 near Lucky Peak, burning about 600 acres and destroying six structures.

Forest fires near two of the nation's most popular national parks have forced evacuations and closed roads. A large fire near Yosemite National Park in Northern California was only 5% contained Wednesday morning. Four fires burning in the Wyoming part of Yellowstone National Park have closed several roads into the park.

Huge Wildfires near Sofia, Bulgaria

A huge wildfire is raging by the village of Lokorsko in Sofia district. Firefighters are currently putting the fire down and trying to localize it in order to prevent it from reaching the nearest settlements.

Fires are also burning in the districts of Stara Zagora, Kyustendil, Plovdiv and Yambol.