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.

Biden approves federal disaster relief for Washington towns destroyed by wildfires

President Joe Biden has approved federal aid for areas in Eastern Washington burned by fires last year. Former President Donald Trump had declined to release the funds earlier because of a long-standing dispute with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.

U.S. Forest Service: $45,000 worth of vital wildfire-fighting equipment stolen from guard station

The U.S. Forest Service is asking the public for help in identifying the suspects who stole an estimated $45,000 worth of wildfire-fighting equipment from a guard station in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. 

Study: Wildfires from Washington, other states produced up to half of pollution in western U.S.

Wildfire smoke accounted for up to half of all health-damaging small particle air pollution in the western U.S. in recent years as warming temperatures fueled more destructive blazes, according to a study released Monday.

Malden residents await federal aid 3 months after wildfire

Nearly three months after a wildfire destroyed 80% of the homes in Malden, residents are still waiting for aid from the federal government.

Southern California wildfires force 80,000 to flee as utility company faces scrutiny

Two massive wildfires burning in Southern California drove more than 80,000 residents from their homes this week as firefighters continued to battle the flames fueled by gusty winds and low humidity.

Solving Washington’s fire crisis is on the ballot in Public Lands commissioner race

In one day, about 300,000 acres had burned. By the end of the week, it had doubled. That fated, fire-filled week in September has left a scar on Washington state, on the destroyed town of Malden, and in the hearts of two parents who lost their child.

Wildfire smoke in US exposes millions to hazardous pollution

University of Washington researchers believe hundreds of people over the age of 65 have died in our state as a result of hazardous wildfire smoke.