California Firestorm

story in the american west tonight. This time a new wildfire moving so quickly the warnings to evacuate were very sudden. Thousands of families in parts of northern california are right now on the... See More

story in the american west tonight. This time a new wildfire moving so quickly the warnings to evacuate were very sudden. Thousands of families in parts of northern california are right now on the move because of flames racing toward their homes. The evacuation orders issued late today. Tonight there are 41 major wildfires raging across eight western states. This is the worst fire season in at least ten years. More than 10,000 square miles have burned so far this year and at this hour the focus is on that newest threat north of sacramento. Roaring through thick woods and headed right toward those homes. We begin with abc meteorologist ginger zee. Reporter: The inferno out west refused to let up. So far, at least 6.5 million acres have already been lost across the nation. This is more than all of last year. In northern california tonight, thousands of evacuations are under way. The fire truly wild and running rampant. Officials saying it is completely uncontained, now threatening at least 3500 homes. Chelsea kay of our affiliate in redding, krcr, is on the ground. Reporter: Very chaotic. People wondering what is going on, if the pets they had to leave behind are okay. People wanting information, don't have anywhere else to go. Reporter: Zachary's home is gone and he almost lt his life. While evacuating on an atv the wildfire caught up and singed his arm. Fire everywhere, like you turn around everywhere, on all sides of you. Reporter: In idaho, more than 1,000 firefighters are battling to save the scenic town of sutherville, that fire has already chewed away at more than 88,000 acres. At least 350 homes evacuated there, families scrambling to pack up their lives and move out. Everybody is afraid, their nerves are shot. Reporter: The biggest problem, smoke. Thick clouds have taken visibility down to less than ten feet in some spots, slowing firefighters. In washington, firefighters are finally getting a handle on the flames there, even though some worry the weather could whip it up again. We have potential for dry lightning. Erratic winds. Here's our bed. Reporter: Some returning home to find little left. Like a death in the family. Just have to start all over again. Incredible how quick this moved. Ginger here with the fire forecast tonight. Pacific northwest, the area that is concerned, washington, places like oregon and idaho that have all had problems in the last week, really bad red flag warnings for tomorrow, into tuesday. So the conditions are not improving. Actually deteriorating. You'll continue to watch this. The story you reported on last night, major weather headline, system through dallas. This is what it left behind, flooding through much of dallas and they wanted to spray for the west nile virus, the question is will they be able to did that spraying tonight? At some point theyed that two inches in 30 minutes or so no, that will not happen tonight. Few isolated showers left over but by the time we reach late overnight into monday and tuesday perfect for spraying. Not just dallas, 43 states dealing with west nile, we'll follow that. Ginger, thank you. We turn to the race for