State: 2021 shaping up as bad wildfire season in Washington

More than 30 wildfires are currently burning in Washington state in what is shaping up as a very busy fire season.

Gov. Inslee declares wildfire state of emergency, issues limited burn ban

Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday declared a state of emergency throughout Washington relating to the growing risk of wildfires, including a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through Sept. 30.

DNR firefighter injured while battling Washington wildfires

At least one firefighter with the Department of Natural Resources has been injured while battling the Koffman Road Fire in Kittitas County on Sunday. 

Extreme weather and wildfire risks
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Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz joins Q13 News This Morning to discuss the increased risk of wildfires with extreme heat on the way.

Washington utility has no plans to shut off power for fires in Whitman County

A Washington state utility said it has no plans to shut off power to prevent wildfires this summer after a blaze that destroyed more than 100 homes last year was sparked when a tree fell onto one of the utility’s power lines.

North Sound homeowners get help identifying wildfire danger risk to homes

Warmer and dryer temperatures push all of Western Washington farther towards wildfire danger, that’s why a North Sound conservation district offers a program that helps homeowners learn how to reduce the risk of losing property to wildfire.

Wildfire-fighting plane is shut down as fire season begins

The world’s largest firefighting plane has been shut down just as Western states prepare for a wildfire season that fire officials fear could be worse than the average year.

Legislature approves massive wildfire spending bill
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Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz joins Q13 News This Morning to discuss how the major wildfire prevention bill will help the state's wildfire fighting efforts.

Bill to prevent and fight wildfires in Washington approved by Legislature

 A bill to spend $125 million to prevent and fight wildfires in Washington sailed through the state House on Thursday and now goes to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature.

DNR head says new legislation will help battle more destructive wildfire seasons

Many say the 2021 wildfire season has begun early, including Washington state’s Department of Natural Resources. The agency says it has responded to an unprecedented 91 wildfires in a single week across our state already.

Washington wildfire season has arrived early

Washington firefighters continue monitoring a number of small brushfires that flared up late last week and weekend. It is a phenomenon firefighters are seeing more frequently and earlier in the year as each wildfire season moves into western Washington.

Crews battle Auburn brush fire
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A burn pile got out of control and caused a large brush fire in Auburn Sunday.

Pierce County fire crews battle brush fire near Eatonville

Fire crews are working to fully extinguish a brush fire spanning multiple acres in south Pierce County Friday.

Bill to create fund to battle wildfires passes state House

A bill to create a dedicated fund to prevent and fight wildfires in Washington easily passed the state House of Representatives on Tuesday and will be sent to the state Senate.

Washington state lawmakers discuss $125 million wildfire bill

The winter months aren’t stopping lawmakers and elected officials from bracing for this upcoming wildfire season. 

FEMA rejects Malden fire request for individual assistance

A spokesperson for Governor Inslee’s office said federal individual assistance is hard to secure and that the state has only received it once in the last decade, for the 2014 deadly landslide near the town of Oso.