Firefighters make progress in west coast blazes as smoke spreads across US

Fires in Oregon, Washington and California have killed more than 30, burned millions of acres and enveloped region in smoke

Firefighters on the US west coast reported more progress in the battle against wildfires that have killed more than 30 people and destroyed entire communities. But much of the region is enveloped in a thick layer of smoke that has now affected large swaths of the country.

Aided by better weather, fire crews in Oregon on Tuesday gained more ground against the massive blazes that have scorched 1m acres and destroyed hundreds of homes in the state.