The wildfire-ravaged West now faces thunderstorms and the possibility of flooding

SAN FRANCISCO – Western states beleaguered by several wildfires may face a new threat this week as thunderstorms approach, raising the possibility of flash floods. From the Great Basin to the Rockies, it might help put out some fires but won’t provide relief for drought-stricken California. “Heavy rain from seasonal activities will continue to have the potential for flash floods, especially in complex terrain, burn scars, and urban areas,” the Meteorological Service said in those areas. The heavy rain caused “severe damage” to Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado, leaving it clogged with piles of boulders and state transportation officials said lanes in both directions of the highway, a major transportation corridor between the Rocky Mountains and the West Coast, remain blocked by debris. that flowed from the burn scar from last year’s wildfire in Grizzly Creek. Patches left barren of vegetation by wildfire outbreaks across the West are particularly vulnerable to flash floods when bombarded by torrential rain. Parts of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho and Washington are exposed. and Montana to monitor floods.The quiet season last year.The large influx of rainfall was a boon to drought-stricken states such as New Mexico and Arizona-SG Tucson experienced the wettest July in history with 8.06 inches of rain, nearly four times the normal — but it also had tragic consequences. At least five people died in the floods, and several others are missing. Unlike last year, when a region of high pressure was created by the monsoons to the west and prevented moisture from flowing from the Gulf of Mexico, this year it was farther east over the Rocky Mountains and Plains, AccuWeather chief meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. “The clockwise rotation around the heights is what pulls moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California to the southwest,” Sosnowski said. In turn, the torrential rains fed, but did not reach Oregon or California, where two of the largest wildfires in the country were ignited, although not quite as often as in the previous days. The largest state has an area of ​​more than 646 square miles in the remote southern part of the state. Al-Nash’s spokesman said containment increased from 56% on Saturday to 74% on Sunday. Butte and Blumas canceled evacuation orders near another major fire, the Dixie Fire, which burned more than 388 square miles in the mountains while destroying 42 homes and other buildings. The fire was 33% contained on Sunday, but authorities warned that unexpected winds and extremely dry fuels keep the risks of ignition high, and dry conditions and strong winds have also led to dangerous fires in Hawaii, a fast-moving wildfire in the Big District. The island has grown to 62.5 square miles, prompting evacuation orders, and fires in large parts of the American West have polluted air in large parts of the country, all the way to the East Coast, prompting air quality alerts Sunday in parts of the West and Midwest . that includes the Northern Rockies. Also, Canadian wildfires have led to pollution alerts in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, where wildfires emit massive amounts of microscopic smoke particles that researchers say can be harmful if inhaled and lead to immediate and long-term health effects. Children, the elderly, and people with underlying health conditions are especially at risk. On Friday, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with governors from California, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, the second such meeting to discuss. Our resources have already been tapped to keep up with the fires,” Biden said. “We need more help.” On the same day, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a proclamation to motivate major companies to conserve energy as the state prepares for potential power outages due to rising temperatures. Drought has reduced hydropower production, and the state could face a shortfall of 3,500 megawatts on hot days. Associated Press