Much of the small farming town of Malden was destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire | Pixabay
Much of the small farming town of Malden was destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire | Pixabay
Much of Malden in eastern Washington state was consumed by a fast-moving wildfire earlier this month.
National Public Radio reported that 80% of the structures in the farming town of 200 people were destroyed, including City Hall, the post office, and fire station.
Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers said no words could describe the devastation.
“The fire will be extinguished, but a community has been changed for a lifetime,” Myers said in a statement issued by his agency that was obtained by NPR. “I just hope we don't find the fire took more than homes and buildings. I pray everyone got out in time.”
No injuries were reported, by Myers said the ferocity of the fire made it impossible for authorities to get an accurate count of how many residents fled.
The Malden fire is among a rash that broke out all over the West Coast.
Washington was the starting point of at least 80 fires in what is described as a historical fire event.
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