US faces triple threat: Wildfire smoke, floods, and new fires

The United States is grappling with a series of extreme summer weather events, facing threats from wildfire smoke, widespread flooding, and new fire outbreaks. The eastern U.S. was particularly affected on Friday by dense smoke originating from wildfires, creating hazy conditions that stretched from the Great Lakes region down to Washington D.C.

Meanwhile, in Texas, the Hill Country has been inundated with floodwaters for the third day in a row. The persistent heavy rainfall has caused significant disruptions and damage in the region.

Adding to the escalating weather crisis, new wildfires ignited overnight in the Pacific Northwest. These recent fires contribute to a larger national picture, with 68 large fires actively burning across 15 states. The combination of these diverse and severe weather phenomena highlights a challenging summer for many parts of the country.