Fires in the western U.S. and Canada consume firefighter resources

More than 2,100 firefighters are fighting to contain the widespread Bootleg fire in southern Oregon near the California border. But some had to retreat as the flames spread amid a new wave of heat.

California, hit by its own fires, promised to send firefighters to help in Oregon.

And Canada was hosting about 100 firefighters from Mexico to support their exhausted colleagues in Ontario, authorities announced.

The Bootleg Fire, by far the largest active fire in the United States, affecting an area of ​​more than 1,000 km2 – larger than New York City – and is only 7% controlled, according to the Inciweb website.

“The fire is still very active and its size is increasing due to heat, drought and wind conditions,” says the official site.

It has destroyed at least 20 houses.

Fire Commander Rob Allen said that the 200-mile perimeter of the fire “is a huge line to mark and hold.”

“We continue to use all resources, from excavators to tankers,” he said on Friday.

Meanwhile, dangerous thunderstorms are expected in California, where last year the August Complex fire – the largest in the modern history of that state – was unleashed precisely by a series of lightning strikes.

And in Canada, officials anticipated high temperatures in the coming days from Alberta to Ontario – though not as hot as the 49.6 degrees Celsius near Vancouver three weeks ago.