(Rick Wiley/AP)Arizona’s Bush Fire expanded Thursday night, jumping from about 114,000 acres to 150,000 acres, or 234 square miles. The fire is now the fifth-largest in Arizona history and is one of more than a dozen large blazes burning in the Southwest and West right now amid a hot and dry weather pattern. [Western states are entering an active wildfire season just as coronavirus cases spike]The Bush Fire has rapidly grown in the Tonto National Forest since a vehicle fire started it June 14. It’s not only the largest ongoing wildfire nationwide at this point but has rapidly climbed up the state’s historic wildfire list amid hot, dry weather with erratic, gusty winds. This occurs when hot, dry air near Earth’s surface evaporates any rain before it’s able to reach the surface.

Source: Washington Post June 18, 2020 16:27 UTC