Rain and rising humidity help Washington firefighters

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Rain and cooler temperatures are helping firefighters battling a series of big blazes in north central Washington state.

The North Star Complex of wildfires stood at 313 square miles on Monday morning and was about 22 percent contained.

Fire spokesman Donnie Davis says a small amount of rain that fell on Sunday didn't even reach the floor of the burning forests, but raised humidity levels which helped firefighters.

He says temperatures were only in the 50s on Monday morning, which inhibited growth of the fire burning east of Omak and north of Nespelem.

Meanwhile, the Okanogan Complex of wildfires stood at about 30 percent containment on Monday. Spokesman Bernie Pineda says rain and breezes have really cleared the smoky air.