Wildfires across the western United States and Canada continued to threaten homes on Sunday. Thousands of people had left their communities, while others waited for word on whether they would need to leave.
For many families, the main concern was the condition of their homes. Some had already learned that their houses were safe. Others were still waiting for access to their neighborhoods and news about the damage.
In British Columbia, more than 20,000 people were forced to leave communities around Okanagan Lake during the weekend. A fast-moving wildfire destroyed homes and put many residents in danger.
Dozens of people had to be rescued by aircraft as the fire moved through the area. The large evacuation showed how quickly the fire threat could grow.
Residents who left were left with little choice but to wait. Roads and other areas could remain closed while crews worked to control the fire and protect communities.
The damage to homes was a key concern. Families needed to know if their houses were still standing and whether they would be safe to enter when they returned.
The same fear was felt in Washington state.
Three wildfires near Spokane had been burning for more than a week. Fire crews continued work on Sunday near the lines built to stop the fires from spreading.
Crews were also working on cleanup in areas near those lines. Such work can help teams check for fire risks and see how much land and property have been affected.
For people who had left their homes, even small pieces of news could bring relief.
Laurie Allen, from Nine Mile Falls north of Spokane, left her home the previous weekend. She fled with her husband, dog and two kittens as a wildfire burned close to the area.
Allen could not return home on Sunday because roads into her neighborhood were still closed.
She did receive some news from a friend who had seen the area. The friend said Allen’s home and other nearby houses were still standing.
The homes were covered in ash, but they had not been destroyed.
That news gave Allen reason to hope. Still, she had not been able to see her home herself. Until roads reopen and officials allow residents to return, many questions remain.
Ash can also be a sign of how close a fire has come. Even when a home survives, residents may still face damage to yards, roofs, vehicles and other property.
The situation in British Columbia was more serious in places where homes were destroyed. Families who lost their houses now face a much longer process.
They must learn the extent of the damage and find safe places to stay. They may also need to wait for officials to inspect damaged areas before they can enter.
Damage checks are an important part of the response after a wildfire. Officials need to assess homes, roads and other buildings before people can safely return.
Fire crews must also make sure that areas near containment lines remain safe. A fire that appears under control can still leave hot spots that may cause new problems.
Across the western US and Canada, residents were therefore facing two different stages of the crisis. Some were still watching the fires and preparing for possible evacuation. Others had already fled and were waiting to see what remained.
For families, the condition of their homes is more than a property question. A house can hold years of memories and belongings. Losing it can change a family’s life in an instant.
As crews continued their work, residents waited for roads to reopen and damage checks to begin. For those who had escaped the fires, the hope was simple: to return home and find their houses still standing.
