Extreme wildfires in US destroy more than 700 structures

Massive wildfires in the US state of Washington have burned at least 7,000 acres of land, destroying more than 700 homes, businesses and other structures, authorities said.

About 65,000 people have been evacuated from the Spokane area as the fires continue to spread, prompting Governor Bob Ferguson to declare a state of emergency across the state.

Fire officials said dry weather and strong winds have made the blazes difficult to contain. Three major wildfires�"Old Trails, Fairview and Meadowview�"remain active in and around Spokane, where about 8.2 square miles (21 square kilometres) have been scorched.

The fires also forced the evacuation of patients from the Spokane Veterans Affairs Hospital. Images from the area showed buildings engulfed in flames, thick black smoke blanketing residential neighbourhoods and homes reduced to ashes.

Meanwhile, firefighters in western Idaho and eastern Oregon have been battling separate wildfires for a 10th consecutive day using bulldozers and helicopters. Those fires have burned nearly 525 square miles (about 1,360 square kilometres) of grassland, with hundreds of additional structures remaining at risk.

US Senator Maria Cantwell warned that conditions could worsen in the coming days. The National Weather Service has issued air quality alerts and wildfire danger warnings across parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Officials believe lightning strikes may have sparked several of the wildfires.