Washington Homes Burn Down as Heat Wave Persists

According to recent reports, several homes in the area of Wenatchee, Washington have burned down, as a heat wave covering most of the Northwest persists in the U.S. The Weather Channel (TWC) reported that as many as 24 to 28 houses burned down during the Sleepy Hollow Fire, which has covered around 4,000 acres.

TWC reported that high heat in the Washington area may have contributed to the wildfire in Wenatchee, which started on Sunday afternoon. By the evening of Monday, residents returned to a scorched neighborhood after the fire had ripped through homes and two businesses.

The Boston Herald reported wildfires had hit different parts of Washington and may have been sparked by extremely hot temperatures and strong winds. On top of that, the state is facing severe drought conditions, including that of low-level snowpack and drier conditions.

ABC shared some heartwrenching pictures of the fire at local and ground-level views, courtesy of the AP. Such pictures only go to show the value of human life over property, despite the enormous costs associated with heavy loss and damages. Survival and nobody getting hurt are often and righteously considered more important.

As if homes burning down in Washington after a persistent heat wave was not enough, TWC also reported that the recent heat wave is a result of record-breaking temperatures in the Northwest for the entire month of June. Also, the heat wave is most likely to resurface this coming weekend amid recent reports which indicated traces of rain had appeared on Monday, which helped in alleviating some of the wildfires burning in Washington.

Alaska has been facing numerous wildfires as well, including about 391 fires that have burned to date, and may surpass a record of 701 fires recorded back in 2004. Almost 1.2 million acres have burned, and according to The Washington Post, 314 fires are still burning.

Alaska has seen some unusually high temperatures in recent times, and back in May, Guardian Liberty Voice reported the state of Washington had declared a drought emergency. According to J. Smith, 11 of around 98 snow sites were snow-free beginning in the month of May. Later on in May, around 66 of these snow sites had become snow-free. Also, a report by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) had indicated that 78 percent of all streams across the state were below normal levels, with some at historically low levels.

Aside from heat waves causing concern in the upper Northwest, wildfires burning in much of the West, and severe drought conditions taking place in multiple states, California is possibly facing major problems with houses sinking. According to CBS Local, homes in the Central Valley may have begun to sink or shift due to the possibility that aquifers may be collapsing, a process known as subsidence.

Although subsidence may be attributed to severe drought conditions occurring in California, CBS Local reported that Michelle Sneed of the USGS had stated the current area affected is part of the El Nido Subsidence Zone; therefore, such areas affected could probably expect such occurrences to happen, despite current drought conditions. Either way, the state of California and the federal government should address such issues, considering the state recently dealt with waste water issues surrounding aquifers located in the Central Valley, as was also reported by Guardian Liberty Voice.

The incident involving homes burning down in Wenatchee, Washington, this past weekend due to a persistent heat wave affecting the Northwest (that may return again later this week) is unfortunate. Still, the entire West is facing extremely hot and dry conditions which are leading to water restrictions, wildfires, and possibly even soil erosion during record-breaking temperatures. If the Western states are not more careful in planning ways to alleviate both drought and dry conditions, residents of such states may face even heavier losses and damages than expected.

Opinion by Liz Pimentel

More on Guardian Liberty Voice: California Dealing With Wastewater Contamination [Video] and Drought Emergency Declared in Washington State

Sources:

TWC (Washington State): Sleepy Hollow Fire Update: Residents Return To Charred Homes in Wenatchee, Washington

Boston Herald: ‘Mind blowing’ flames destroy homes in Washington state

ABC: Wildfires Sweep Through Washington

TWC (Western Heat): Western Heat Wave Shatters At Least 31 June Record Highs (FORECAST)

Washington Post: Alaska wildfires have burned over a million acres — and fire season still has a long way to go

Photo by Steve Andersen Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License