- The Washington Times - Thursday, July 17, 2014

A Washington wildfire that’s already raged across two square miles of forest lands has sent the residents of 860 or so homes packing, and emergency responders are worried that another 800 more houses could go up in flames.

Strong winds combined with high temperatures are keeping the flames at full-force, Fox News reported. Meanwhile, the governors’ offices in Washington and Oregon have called states of emergency, freeing up officials to call in the National Guard.

Wildfires are simultaneously raging across portions of Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Oregon and California, Fox News reported.

The one in Washington that has so many hundreds of homeowners and residents up in arms was caused by lightning. The lightning strike hit heavy timber and sent smoke plumes billowing 25,000 feet into the air, Fox News reported.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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