American Indian tribal lands are being threatened by fierce wildfires as they burn homes and forest lands across the NorthwestBLY, Ore. -- Fierce wildfires in the northwest are threatening American Indian tribal lands that already are struggling to conserve water and preserve traditional hunting grounds in the face of a Western drought. The blaze had spread over 315 square miles (816 square kilometers), an area larger than New York City. The fire also burned the tribes’ cemetery and at least one tribal member’s house, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported in September. The Beckwourth Complex, a combined pair of lighting-ignited blazes, was almost 50% contained after blackening more than 145 square miles (375 square kilometers) near the Nevada state line. I called them but I haven’t heard nothing.”A fire that began Sunday in the Sierra Nevada south of Yosemite National Park grew to nearly 15 square miles (39 square kilometers) but containment increased to 15%.

Source: ABC News July 14, 2021 04:56 UTC