In a stunning display of extreme fire behavior, the Durkee wildfire in Oregon has grown so large that it is generating its own weather, experts have revealed. The fire, which was sparked by lightning, has now engulfed nearly 245,000 acres (97,000 hectares), posing a significant threat to homes in Durkee, Huntington, and Rye Valley communities, as well as major highways, cell towers, and power infrastructure in the area.

Fire crews and equipment from 22 states are tirelessly battling the blaze, but its intensity has been enhanced by the formation of a "pyrocumulus cloud," according to Stephen Parker, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boise, Idaho. Parker explains that the pyrocumulus cloud, resembling a thunderstorm, is created when a fire becomes plume-dominated and generates intense heat. This cloud can propel smoke and ash higher into the atmosphere and even generate rainfall and lightning, potentially sparking new fires in the region.

The Durkee wildfire is just one of several devastating wildfires ravaging the western states of the US, including California and Utah. Compounded by weeks of back-to-back heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures, the risk of new ignitions and challenging conditions for firefighters has escalated. Even across the border in Canada, wildfires are causing havoc, resulting in the evacuation of one of the country's largest national parks.

The Pacific Northwest has already suffered a particularly aggressive fire season, with over 1,000 square miles scorched in Oregon alone, and nearly 180 square miles destroyed within the past 24 hours. The situation in Washington is equally dire, as a fire near Naches forced mandatory evacuations, while another near Bickleton threatened both the town and a natural gas plant, leading to further evacuations.

Ed Hiatt, the Pacific Northwest assistant fire director for operations at the US Forest Service, expressed great concern, stating, "This is shaping up to be another monster fire year in the Pacific Northwest, and it's just mid-July." The region's national forest lands continue to suffer from record-breaking dry timber conditions due to minimal rainfall.

To address the escalating risk of wildfires, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared an "extended state of emergency" until October. The impacts of climate change are exacerbating the situation, as heatwaves and historic drought have made firefighting efforts even more challenging. Scientists assert that the climate crisis has caused the region to become hotter and drier over the past three decades, leading to more frequent and destructive wildfires.

As the fight against these wildfires intensifies, authorities and communities are left grappling with the devastating consequences. The need for immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change and prevent further destruction has become increasingly urgent.