At least 7 dead as nearly 200 wildfires burn across West United States

 United States

At least seven people have died in the western United States as firefighters battle dozens of wildfires up and down the coast.

Nearly 200 wildfires across nine western states are currently burning.

In Okanogan County, Washington a child died and his parents suffered third-degree burns when the family attempted to outrun the Cold Springs wildfire, authorities said. Sheriff Tony Hawley said the trio was discovered on the bank of the Columbia River after they abandoned the car they had been traveling in.

Three people were found dead in Butte County, California, the county's sheriff coroner, Kory Honea, confirmed Wednesday night.

"We are in the process of recovering the remains and investigating the scenes. We have not identified or notified the loved ones yet," he said.

In the fire perimeter in Butte County, approximately 4,200 structures have been damaged or destroyed.

Two people were found dead in a vehicle in Marion County, Oregon, Wednesday, after fire swept through the area on Monday. Sheriff Joe Kast said he fears that others will be found deceased.

Also in Oregon, another victim was found near the origin of the Almeda Fire that began near homes in Medford yesterday, officials said. The blaze is moving so fast that it is hard for firefighters to stay ahead of it, said Jackson County Sheriff Nathan Sickler.

All of the structures in the path of the fire were left completely burned, according to fire officials. As of Wednesday afternoon the blaze had burned through 3,000 acres and was 0% contained.

Authorities went door-to-door to get people to leave their homes, but some refused, officials said. Their status is unknown.
Oregon has at least 35 active fires, with more than 476,994 acres burning in the state, according to the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.