WILDFIRES continue to devastate nature and livelihoods across the world as El Nino weather patterns accelerate their spread.

Indonesia sent aircraft and hundreds of firefighters on Saturday to tackle a blaze that has burned around 176 hectares of Mount Bromo within East Java’s Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.

Several other fires have broken out across the country during an unusually dry season, with authorities citing strong winds and extremely dry vegetation.

In the US, a pilot and crew member were confirmed dead after their firefighting helicopter crashed while battling a massive wildfire in central Utah.

The National Interagency Fire Centre said extreme conditions and steep terrain had delayed recovery of the wreckage.

The Widemouth 2 fire has burned more than 111,000 acres, with containment at just 24 per cent.

In Canada, a state of emergency was declared after thousands fled their homes as the fast-moving Bald Range fire doubled in size, now covering more than 39 square miles across British Columbia.

Premier David Eby said the flames had created their own weather systems, generating lightning.