Charred Earth: The Wreckage of the Washington Wildfires

1 minute read

It took thousands of firefighters Saturday and Sunday to battle a wildfire raging east of Washington state’s Cascade Mountains. The four-blaze Carlton Complex fire destroyed about 100 homes and displaced hundreds of people.

The weekend inferno is the latest in a series of fires that have plagued the drought-ravaged west coast this summer. Area residents hope that forecasts for cooler weather this week will help quell the siege of flames, the Associated Press reports.

Debris from a burnt structure is pictured near Alta Lake Golf Course after much of the surrounding area was consumed by the Carlton Complex Fire near Pateros
Debris from a burnt structure is pictured near Alta Lake Golf Course after much of the surrounding area was consumed by the Carlton Complex Fire near Pateros, Washington on July 19, 2014. David Ryder—Reuters
A sign surrounded by scorched earth warns drivers of the high fire danger along US State Route 97 after it was hit by the Carlton Complex fire near Pateros
A sign surrounded by scorched earth warns drivers of the high fire danger along US State Route 97 after it was hit by the Carlton Complex fire near Pateros, Washington on July 19, 2014. David Ryder—Reuters
A damaged vehicle is pictured near Alta Lake Golf Course after it was consumed by the Carlton Complex Fire, which can be seen burning in the distance, near Pateros
A damaged vehicle is pictured near Alta Lake Golf Course after it was consumed by the Carlton Complex Fire, which can be seen burning in the distance, near Pateros, Washington on July 19, 2014. David Ryder—Reuters
Seen through the windshield of a burnt vehicle, Mim Morris (C) looks through the remnants of her home, which was destroyed by the Carlton Complex Fire, as her grandson, Sean Lafer (L), 12 , and daughter, Laura Lafer (R), join her near Malott, Washington on July 20, 2014.
Seen through the windshield of a burnt vehicle, Mim Morris (C) looks through the remnants of her home, which was destroyed by the Carlton Complex Fire, as her grandson, Sean Lafer (L), 12 , and daughter, Laura Lafer (R), join her near Malott, Washington on July 20, 2014. David Ryder—Reuters
Mim Morris wipes her forehead as she looks through the remnants of her home, which was destroyed by the Carlton Complex Fire, as her grandson, Joel Lafer, joins her near Malott, Washington
Mim Morris wipes her forehead as she looks through the remnants of her home, which was destroyed by the Carlton Complex Fire, as her grandson, Joel Lafer, 14, joins her near Malott, Washington on July 20, 2014.David Ryder—Reuters
Deceased cattle, which fell victim to the Carlton Complex Fire, are pictured on ranch land near Malott, Washington
Deceased cattle, which fell victim to the Carlton Complex Fire, are pictured on ranch land near Malott, Washington July 20, 2014. David Ryder—Reuters
Firefighters work in a field near a burnt fence that was hit by the Carlton Complex Fire near Brewster
Firefighters work in a field near a burnt fence that was hit by the Carlton Complex Fire near Brewster, Washington on July 20, 2014.David Ryder—Reuters
Burnt trees and cars are pictured near Alta Lake Golf Course after much of the area was consumed by the Carlton Complex Fire near Pateros
Burnt trees and cars are pictured near Alta Lake Golf Course after much of the area was consumed by the Carlton Complex Fire near Pateros, Washington on July 19, 2014. David Ryder—Reuters
Scorched trees are pictured after being burned by the Carlton Complex Fire near Malott, Washington
Scorched trees are pictured after being burned by the Carlton Complex Fire near Malott, Washington July 20, 2014. David Ryder—Reuters
A burnt ATV lies in the road after the Carlton Complex Fire consumed an area near Malott, Washington
A burnt ATV lies in the road after the Carlton Complex Fire consumed an area near Malott, Washington on July 20, 2014. David Ryder—Reuters

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