It seems unreal as residents watched the neighborhood they grew up in being destroyed by fire. As the temperature rises in Washington state, so does the incidence of wildfire.
ABC Action News reports eastern Washington temperature reached almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit; combined with strong winds blowing, the result was a devastating wildfire that extended up to the different parts of central and eastern Washington. The state is currently suffering from severe drought as well. Governor Jay Inslee announced an emergency proclamation that sought help for faster and efficient facilitation of resources to stop the wildfire from spreading.
"There was fire in so many places," local resident Albert Rookard told The Gazette. No casualties have been reported, but USA Today stated that according to the firefighters, there were at least 24 houses that were consumed by the wildfire.
Eric Curry, another resident, who was still in shock at the time of the interview, said, "It's kind of surreal at the moment, it's hard to process."
Other residents shared the same sentiment that it's quite difficult to make peace with what has happened.
Shirley Einarsson, a local resident and one of the victims of the wildfire, said, "It's probably really going to hit me harder in a few days when I realize I don't have anything."
Einarsson's family home for 45 years was one of the houses that got burned down. However, she said that she's ready to move on. "No point in crying, they were just things. They weren't life," Einarsson said.
Although no serious injuries were reported, some firefighters sustained minor injuries and some had to treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.
Washington is not the only one that is struggling to contain wildfires this year. The Pacific Northwest is currently facing more devastating wildfires as the temperatures continue to rise.
Rainfall provided a break, but the ensuing hot weather continues to challenge the area's firefighters.
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