Incredible drone footage shows extent of US wildfires

Footage taken with a drone has shown the extent of the damage from one of the biggest wildfires to hit Washington State, US.

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(ChelanHD)

The wildfire raging east of Washington state's Cascade Mountains has destroyed about 200 homes and displaced hundreds of people.

The Carlton Complex fire is the biggest fire on record in Washington state, made up of four smaller fires.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency.

Around 1600 firefighters have been working to contain the blaze, which began on July 14.

A group of filmmakers decided to film the devastation left behind as the fire burnt through almost 100,000 hectares.

Using a drone, the group were able to get above the remains and show the extent of the damage wreaked by the fire.



The Carlton Complex fires were triggered by lightning strikes last week. Evacuations were urged throughout the region and emergency shelters have opened.

Firefighters have said they're gaining ground against the fire, but have cautioned there is still a long way to go.

The fire is among more than two dozen burning from southern California to Idaho as drought-parched Western states enter their annual fire season.

In Oregon, more than a dozen fires have erupted in the past week, with one of the largest, the Waterman Complex, burning more than 4300 acres around 15 kilometres northeast of the small eastern city of Mitchell.

Officials ordered about 20 households to evacuate.




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Source: SBS



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