California's largest wildfire merged with a smaller blaze and destroyed homes in remote areas with limited access for firefighters, as numerous other fires gained strength and threatened property across the U.S. West.

A wildfire near Snowbasin Resort forced the evacuation of 50 homes and flames came within feet of several of their backyards. KSL-TV spoke with one of the families impacted by the blaze.

The Weber Fire District was fighting a grass fire in the Art Nord area near Old Snowbasin Road. 

Forest Service workers have started clearing dead brush from some areas in the steep terrain of the Wasatch Front in hopes that future fires will be far less destructive. 

As drought- and wind-driven wildfires have become more dangerous across the American West in recent years, firefighters have tried to become smarter in how they prepare.

Dozens of Utah firefighters gathered at the Maverick Center Thursday morning as they prepared to leave for Montana where nearly 20 wildfires were burning. 

Two Utah fire chiefs urged residents to use the same level of caution and compliance with fireworks for the upcoming Pioneer Day holiday as they did over the Fourth of July.

A new wildfire has started in Box Elder County. 

A Montana firefighter is being treated at the University of Utah's Burn Center after he was severely burned while he battled the Harris Fire in California. 

The threat of thunderstorms and lightning has prompted officials in Oregon to ask for wildfire crews from outside the Pacific Northwest to prepare for additional blazes.