# Firefighters in Washington state are racing to contain devastating wildfires near Spokane as another spell of extreme heat and strong winds threatens to worsen conditions. Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed and tens of thousands of residents remain displaced. Forecasters warn temperatures will climb into the upper 30 degrees Celsius, increasing the risk of new fires and hampering firefighting efforts. Smoke continues to affect air quality across the Pacific Northwest, while experts warn climate change is contributing to longer, more destructive wildfire seasons in the western United States.
Challenging fire weather in Pacific Northwest as crews battle destructive Spokane blazes