Scorched Earth: Wildfires Rage in Western U.S.

July 9, 2007 — -- A massive wildfire engulfed nearly 300,000 acres of land in central Utah, making it the largest fire in the history of the state.

Dozens of families fled their homes as the wildfire raced out of a canyon in the Black Hills, destroying 27 houses and killing one homeowner who was trying to save some belongings, authorities said.

Record heat in the southwest part of the country and a prolonged drought have created ideal conditions for the spread of wildfires.

Marlene Hodges was in her convenience store when a wall of flames bore down on her.

"We were literally running to our cars. Flames were all around the perimeter of building," Hodges said.

Ignited by lightning Friday, the flames jumped Interstate 15, consuming 442 square miles of parched land and closing 60 miles of highways, backing up traffic with blinding smoke.

Dense smoke is blamed for a fatal crash that killed a couple traveling by motorcycle.

The Utah Highway Patrol reopened closed highways today.

Helicopters are battling the fire from the air, while firefighters are trying to beat back the flames on the ground.

Damage and death tolls are mounting from fires that raged across 10 western states over the weekend.

Lightning triggered a fire Sunday that killed a homeowner in Hot Springs, S.D.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.