STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: The Washington fire's behavior is described as "extreme" An Idaho firefighter is killed battling a blaze; two others are hurt in Oregon and California Continuing dry heat is making it tough for firefighters.
In all, 62 fires, including 16 new large fires, were burning as of Tuesday, the U.S. Forest Service reported. They have destroyed dozens of homes and are threatening many more.
(CNN) -- Whipped by high winds, a wildfire in central Washington state has scorched 26,500 acres and destroyed at least 60 homes, officials said Tuesday.
The fire raging near Cle Elum is one of several devastating Western states this week.
Colorado paid the price earlier this summer. Now, new wildfires are burning through sagebrush, grass and beetle-killed lodgepole pines in California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington and Idaho.