Government scientists warn that the 2025 wildfire season in North America is projected to be the longest ever, with fires already causing significant damage across the western United States and Canada. Major blazes have led to evacuations, destruction of historic sites, and widespread air quality alerts.

Santa Barbara

Government scientists have projected that the 2025 wildfire season in North America will be the longest on record, beginning earlier than usual with deadly fires in Los Angeles and expected to continue well into the fall. Above-average temperatures and dry conditions have contributed to several major fires, including a nearly 40,000-acre blaze near Santa Barbara and a megafire in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park, which has destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

Utah has declared a state of emergency after nearly 700 wildfires, and smoke from Canadian fires has resulted in air quality alerts for millions in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. In response, California has added new Firehawk helicopters to its fleet to assist firefighting efforts.

Wildfire season in North America shaping as worst on record

The 2025 wildfire season in North America is expected to last longer than ever. That is according to government scientists. It began earlier than usual with those devastating and deadly fires in Los Angeles back in January, and the season is predicted to stretch well into the fall. Now, above average temperatures and dry conditions in the West have sparked the largest fire so far this year, and it's only 12% contained. CBS's Elyse Preston has the very latest developments from Los Angeles. Elyse. Jerica, good evening to you. Firefighters are bracing for triple-digit temperatures here in Southern California as crews across the West struggle to contain the many massive wildfires. Firefighters launched an aerial assault to try to slow down a nearly 40,000-acre fire near Santa Barbara. The flames forcing evacuations in two Southern California counties. The Gifford Fire started Friday and has quickly become the second-largest wildfire to burn in California this year. First 24 hours, it doubled inside, so this is a very rapidly fast-moving fire. The wildfire in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park is now the nation's largest at well over 100,000 acres, reaching megafire status. The flames began almost a month ago and destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim. Utah is under a state of emergency. So far this year, nearly 700 wildfires have ripped through the state. The massive Monroe Canyon Fire is now at more than 58,000 acres. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is hovering over the Northeast and Upper Midwest with millions under air quality alerts. Eyes burning, stuffy nose, and stuff like that. The smoke is not stopping tens of thousands of music fans today in Chicago who are enjoying Lollapalooza. Now here in California, there are now extra resources to help fight flames. The state just added new Firehawk helicopters to its fleet. Those choppers can hold up to 1,000 gallons of water. Jerika? All right, Elise Preston, great information, thank you.

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