the state s history. close to 255,000 hectares or 630,000 acres have burned. that s an area bigger than all of new york and london combined. more than 200 homes have also been destroyed by the fires. this is the story that does not seem to quit. our meteorologist pedram javaheri joins us. we keep talking about the forecast, it s not looking good. we know they ve been in a drought four years. there s some improvement in the immediate future. for the first time in a very long time, the coolest weather. 1200 firefighters, 5,000 properties at risk of being burned now with what s happening in washington state. mother nature almost always has the upper hand. the wind pattern, the temperature trend, both of those conditions going to improve and a big-time storm system for this time of year going to cruise in here. so some good news there when you talk about finally seeing the cooler temperatures in the forecast, finally seeing wet weather potential in the forecast.
to hit the state. take a look at the plains. look at the thick smoke. the complex fire here scorching over 250,000 acres so far. fire officials say the blaze is only 10% contained. people in eight communities now ordered to evacuate their homes. it has been so tough for them. for more on the wildfires and the forecast, let s get to meteorologist pedram javaheri. good news when it comes to the weather pattern across the northwest, this storm system entering the picture. this will drop in coastal washington and oregon and assess the trend for a pattern shift in the coming days where the potential exists for not two, but three days of rainfall. look at seattle. temperature trend warms up quickly and back down into the 70s. in fact, multiple days where rain showers are a possibility.
in alaska. officials say 2 1/2 inches fell in 22 hours causing landslides and sinkholes. alaska s governor declaring a state of emergency and plans to travel to the affected area today to survey the damage. wildfires still ripping through seven states out west. this one is called the rough fire, burning in fresno, california. look at those flames and smoke pouring from that inferno. so far this fire alone growing to nearly 21,000 acres. crews having a very tough time gaining an upper hand. we are hitting it with everything that we can. we have brought in aircraft, we have brought in hand crews, dozer lines. we are doing everything we can to get this fire out as soon as possible. firefighters battling wildfires in montana, idaho, oregon, washington. the total acres burned so far this year is more than 7 million. for more, let s get to meteorologist pedram javaheri. incredible temperature trend the next couple of days.
possible. firefighters battling wildfires in montana, idaho, washington and california. the total acres burned so far this year is more than 7 million. for mere, here is pedram javaheri. incredible temperature trend the next couple of days. looks like some improvement going from 90 in the northwest to the 70s. unfortunately with all of this comes gusty wind and the concern around the fire threat over the western portion of the united states. look at this footage. this is coming out of an area near the soto fire in boise, idaho. what is known as a fire tornado developing over this weregion. you get differences in air masses that create tornadoes, but in this case you have tremendous heat rising from the flames in the vicinity around 2,000 degrees fahrenheit and turbulent weather in the vicinity of this area picks it up and brings up columns of rotation that is occur in this fire nado as it s known. has the potential to cause
forecasts. pedram javaheri is here to explain why the good and bad news is happening at the same time. good news as you said is that cooler temperature trend in the forecast. you see, a significant cooling trend from 90 down into the 70s. portland in the upper 70s. but the winds will pick up pretty dramatically over the heart of where the active fires are. the 95 large flames burning in this portion of the united states in washington state, oregon and idaho as well. it highlights the region we touched on. the wind potential from 30 to 50 miles an hour will not help firefighters contain what is happening over this region. but i want to share with you spectacular footage. this is coming outside boise, idaho. you see this an it s impressive as what is known as a fire