For example, Portland reached a high of 116 degrees F while Seattle reached 108 degrees F. These extreme temperatures impacted several major cities and millions of people. This prolonged heat dome was maximized over the states of Oregon and Washington and extended well into Canada. A historic heat wave also developed for many days across the Pacific Northwest shattering numerous all-time high temperature records across the region. Western drought conditions were persistent throughout 2021, as the drought expanded and intensified across many Western states.
Over 7.1 million acres burned nationally during the 2021 wildfire season. Throughout the wildfire season air quality was also a concern across numerous states, as ash and fine particulates from wildfires obscured the skies and made outdoor activities more hazardous. This wildfire is the most destructive on record in Colorado. There was also the Marshall Fire in Boulder County, Colorado on December 30 that damaged or destroyed more than 1,000 homes and businesses. Other large wildfires included the Ford Corkscrew Fire (Washington), the Bootleg Fire (Oregon), the Boundary Fire (Idaho), the Trail Creek Fire (Montana) and the Telegraph Fire (Arizona), among many others. California's Caldor Fire grew rapidly during August, threatening South Lake Tahoe communities and burned over 220,000 acres. The Dixie Fire consumed over 960,000 acres making it the second-largest wildfire on record in California while also destroying more than 1,000 structures. Severe drought conditions and periods of extreme heat provided conditions favorable for another damaging western wildfire season most focused across California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Arizona.