Headaches and raspy voices as wildfire smoke chokes US West
The smoke from massive wildfires hangs like fog over large parts of the U.S. West, an irritating haze causing health concerns, forcing sports teams to change schedules and disrupting life from Seattle to tiny Seeley Lake, Montana.Air quality has been rated unhealthy across the region because of blazes that show no signs of abating.
The smoke from massive wildfires hangs like fog over large parts of the U.S. West, an irritating haze causing health concerns, forcing sports teams to change schedules and disrupting life from Seattle to tiny Seeley Lake, Montana.Air quality has been rated unhealthy across the region because of blazes that show no signs of abating.
Officials: Washington wildfire threat could continue into October
ROSLYN, Wash. – As wildfires continue burning in Central and Eastern Washington, forecasters at the National Interagency Fire Center in Idaho worry this year’s fire season could last through October.Our region hasn’t seen significant rainfall in months and firefighters warn the fire danger in most of our state is either in the high or extreme category.One of the wildfires burning in Washington State is the Jolly Mountain Fire in Kittitas County.
ROSLYN, Wash. – As wildfires continue burning in Central and Eastern Washington, forecasters at the National Interagency Fire Center in Idaho worry this year’s fire season could last through October.Our region hasn’t seen significant rainfall in months and firefighters warn the fire danger in most of our state is either in the high or extreme category.One of the wildfires burning in Washington State is the Jolly Mountain Fire in Kittitas County.
Officials predict another month of US wildfires
Federal officials say one of the worst wildfire seasons in the U.S. is likely to continue scorching western states and blanket large swaths with smoke until cooler weather patterns with rain or snow arrive later in the fall.Forecasters at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise on Friday released the four-month outlook that predicts September will continue hot and dry with above normal fire potential in northwestern states, Nevada and California.The 10,600 square miles (27,500 square kilometers) that have burned at this point rank the 2017 wildfire season as the third worst in the last decade.The center says more than 25,000 firefighters and fire support personnel are spread out across the Western U.S. fighting 56 large uncontained wildfires, 21 of them in Montana and 17 in Oregon.NEXT: Construction, wildfire danger concerns for Labor Day weekend travel
Federal officials say one of the worst wildfire seasons in the U.S. is likely to continue scorching western states and blanket large swaths with smoke until cooler weather patterns with rain or snow arrive later in the fall.Forecasters at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise on Friday released the four-month outlook that predicts September will continue hot and dry with above normal fire potential in northwestern states, Nevada and California.The 10,600 square miles (27,500 square kilometers) that have burned at this point rank the 2017 wildfire season as the third worst in the last decade.The center says more than 25,000 firefighters and fire support personnel are spread out across the Western U.S. fighting 56 large uncontained wildfires, 21 of them in Montana and 17 in Oregon.NEXT: Construction, wildfire danger concerns for Labor Day weekend travel
Campfires banned in northwestern Washington starting Friday
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Officials are putting a burn ban into effect starting Friday for northwest Washington because of continued hot, dry weather and extreme fire danger.The Washington State Department of Natural Resources says the ban applies to all outdoor burning including recreation fires on state forests, state parks and forestlands under DNR fire protection within Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island and San Juan counties.Officials at North Cascades National Park also have banned campfires and the ignition of wood, briquettes or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans and barbeque grills in the national park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.It includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds along State Route 20 as well as Hozomeen and the entire Stehekin Valley.Fires powered by gas or propane stoves are allowed.The burn ban complements similar restrictions in the adjacent Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and British Columbia, Canada.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Officials are putting a burn ban into effect starting Friday for northwest Washington because of continued hot, dry weather and extreme fire danger.The Washington State Department of Natural Resources says the ban applies to all outdoor burning including recreation fires on state forests, state parks and forestlands under DNR fire protection within Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island and San Juan counties.Officials at North Cascades National Park also have banned campfires and the ignition of wood, briquettes or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans and barbeque grills in the national park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.It includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds along State Route 20 as well as Hozomeen and the entire Stehekin Valley.Fires powered by gas or propane stoves are allowed.The burn ban complements similar restrictions in the adjacent Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and British Columbia, Canada.
Jolly Mountain Fire: Evacuated homeowners told it will be a 'long-duration' fight to contain blaze
CLE ELUM, Wa. --- Nearly three weeks after lightning sparked dry terrain in Kittitas County, the Jolly Mountain Fire remains zero percent contained.About 400 firefighters are battling the blaze, which has burned an estimated 10,532 acres as of Thursday night.
CLE ELUM, Wa. --- Nearly three weeks after lightning sparked dry terrain in Kittitas County, the Jolly Mountain Fire remains zero percent contained.About 400 firefighters are battling the blaze, which has burned an estimated 10,532 acres as of Thursday night.
Jolly Mountain Fire: 154 homes evacuated near Cle Elum
CLE ELUM, Wash. -- People in about 150 homes in Central Washington have been told to evacuate because of a growing wildfire in the region.Kittitas County escalated evacuations in the Middle Fork Teanaway area near Cle Elum to a level 3 "Go Now" evacuation.Officials said of the 154 homes evacuated, half were primary homes and the other half were cabins and vacation homes.The fire started Aug. 11 after lightning strikes.RELATED: Holiday weekend’s hot, dry weather raises risk for wildfire
CLE ELUM, Wash. -- People in about 150 homes in Central Washington have been told to evacuate because of a growing wildfire in the region.Kittitas County escalated evacuations in the Middle Fork Teanaway area near Cle Elum to a level 3 "Go Now" evacuation.Officials said of the 154 homes evacuated, half were primary homes and the other half were cabins and vacation homes.The fire started Aug. 11 after lightning strikes.RELATED: Holiday weekend’s hot, dry weather raises risk for wildfire
Holiday weekend's hot, dry weather raises risk for wildfire
SEATTLE – Don’t let Wednesday’s cool, cloudy weather fool you – wildfire season is still among us.The Washington State Department of Resources is urging caution for those playing, traveling or working outdoors through the Labor Day holiday weekend.Some areas of Washington have not seen significant precipitation for more than 100 days.
SEATTLE – Don’t let Wednesday’s cool, cloudy weather fool you – wildfire season is still among us.The Washington State Department of Resources is urging caution for those playing, traveling or working outdoors through the Labor Day holiday weekend.Some areas of Washington have not seen significant precipitation for more than 100 days.
Evacuations lifted as brush fire burns near Orting homes
ORTING, Wash. -- Firefighters are monitoring a brush fire they say is burning close to homes in Orting.The fire is in a wooded area.
ORTING, Wash. -- Firefighters are monitoring a brush fire they say is burning close to homes in Orting.The fire is in a wooded area.
Historic hotel in Kellogg, Idaho, destroyed by fire
KELLOGG, Idaho (AP) — A fire has torn through a historic hotel in the town of Kellogg, Idaho.The Spokesman-Review reports (https://goo.gl/1AVRsV ) the Kellogg Fire Department and Shoshone County Sheriff's Office confirmed the fire began at 3:20 p.m. and quickly spread throughout the McConnell Hotel in downtown Kellogg.KREM-TV reports that the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office confirmed the fire had spread to multiple buildings by 4 p.m.Multiple videos and photos show the building engulfed in flames and later images show only the shell of the building left standing.The hotel was built in the early 20th Century to serve the mining community of Kellogg.No injuries were immediately reported.Kellogg is off Interstate 90 about 70 miles east of Spokane.
KELLOGG, Idaho (AP) — A fire has torn through a historic hotel in the town of Kellogg, Idaho.The Spokesman-Review reports (https://goo.gl/1AVRsV ) the Kellogg Fire Department and Shoshone County Sheriff's Office confirmed the fire began at 3:20 p.m. and quickly spread throughout the McConnell Hotel in downtown Kellogg.KREM-TV reports that the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office confirmed the fire had spread to multiple buildings by 4 p.m.Multiple videos and photos show the building engulfed in flames and later images show only the shell of the building left standing.The hotel was built in the early 20th Century to serve the mining community of Kellogg.No injuries were immediately reported.Kellogg is off Interstate 90 about 70 miles east of Spokane.
Wildfire forces temporary closure of northbound I-5 near Kent, burns backyards of homes
KENT, Wash. -- A wildfire broke out Tuesday afternoon along northbound Interstate 5 just south of the Kent-Des Moines Road and raced up the slope to a sound wall, with some embers burning some backyards of homes on the other side, Puget Sound Fire said."Apparently no homes affected yet," Puget Sound Fire tweeted. "Many burned spots in backyards.
KENT, Wash. -- A wildfire broke out Tuesday afternoon along northbound Interstate 5 just south of the Kent-Des Moines Road and raced up the slope to a sound wall, with some embers burning some backyards of homes on the other side, Puget Sound Fire said."Apparently no homes affected yet," Puget Sound Fire tweeted. "Many burned spots in backyards.
Pierce County air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups due to wildfires, officials say
TACOMA, Wash. -- Air quality in Pierce County may be unhealthy now for sensitive groups because of smoke from regional wildfires, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said Tuesday."Wildfires continue to burn in Eastern Washington and wind patterns have pushed some of that air west, over the mountains," the department said. "Current air quality in Pierce County may be unhealthy for sensitive groups (Orange)."The sensitive groups that may be affected include:
TACOMA, Wash. -- Air quality in Pierce County may be unhealthy now for sensitive groups because of smoke from regional wildfires, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said Tuesday."Wildfires continue to burn in Eastern Washington and wind patterns have pushed some of that air west, over the mountains," the department said. "Current air quality in Pierce County may be unhealthy for sensitive groups (Orange)."The sensitive groups that may be affected include:
Construction, wildfire danger concerns for Labor Day weekend travel
SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. – Know before you go!That’s the message from the Washington State Department of Transportation, which said traffic is expected to double during the long weekend, and delayed construction projects could mean your travel times may be even longer than usual.Time is running out for construction crews and some major work will still be underway during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.“Some people are already back to school, some are going next week, so everybody’s trying to cram that last vacation in,” said WSDOT’s Brian White.
SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. – Know before you go!That’s the message from the Washington State Department of Transportation, which said traffic is expected to double during the long weekend, and delayed construction projects could mean your travel times may be even longer than usual.Time is running out for construction crews and some major work will still be underway during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.“Some people are already back to school, some are going next week, so everybody’s trying to cram that last vacation in,” said WSDOT’s Brian White.
WSP: 1 person killed after wildfire smoke blows over I-90 near Ellensburg
According to the Washington State Patrol, a brush fire started Thursday afternoon along Interstate 90, just east of Ellensburg. Westbound I-90 had been closed because of the fire.
According to the Washington State Patrol, a brush fire started Thursday afternoon along Interstate 90, just east of Ellensburg. Westbound I-90 had been closed because of the fire.
Crews battling fire at commercial building in Lake Stevens
LAKE STEVENS, Wash. -- Crews were battling a fire at a Lake Stevens business Thursday morning.Flames and heavy smoke could be seen coming from the roof in the 500 block of 91st Ave NE.Multiple fire departments were called to the scene.Authorities asked people to avoid the area while they put out the fire.
LAKE STEVENS, Wash. -- Crews were battling a fire at a Lake Stevens business Thursday morning.Flames and heavy smoke could be seen coming from the roof in the 500 block of 91st Ave NE.Multiple fire departments were called to the scene.Authorities asked people to avoid the area while they put out the fire.
Wildfire threat continues across Western Washington
THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. – Tuesday’s wildfire in southern Thurston County ripped through homes and businesses.It’s the first time a major wildfire has hit the west side of the Cascades this season and firefighters warn the threat is only going to get worse before it gets better.Officials from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources said now is a good time to remind everyone about a few simple steps you can take today to help minimize the risk of losing property during a wildfire.
THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. – Tuesday’s wildfire in southern Thurston County ripped through homes and businesses.It’s the first time a major wildfire has hit the west side of the Cascades this season and firefighters warn the threat is only going to get worse before it gets better.Officials from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources said now is a good time to remind everyone about a few simple steps you can take today to help minimize the risk of losing property during a wildfire.
400-acre Thurston County wildfire contained; 4 homes, 1 business, 2 barns lost
ROCHESTER, Wash. -- A large, fast-moving wildfire near Rochester on Tuesday destroyed one business, four homes and two barns and forced the evacuation of 50 to 100 homes, authorities said.The Scatter Creek Fire also created a miles-long traffic backup on I-5 just north of U.S. 12 on Tuesday afternoon.Thurston County announced shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday that the fire was contained and the evacuations had been lifted.
ROCHESTER, Wash. -- A large, fast-moving wildfire near Rochester on Tuesday destroyed one business, four homes and two barns and forced the evacuation of 50 to 100 homes, authorities said.The Scatter Creek Fire also created a miles-long traffic backup on I-5 just north of U.S. 12 on Tuesday afternoon.Thurston County announced shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday that the fire was contained and the evacuations had been lifted.
Oregon wildfire causes evacuations in prime eclipse zone
PORTLAND, Ore. — Residents of more than 400 homes in a prime eclipse-viewing location in Oregon were ordered to evacuate Friday because of a rapidly growing wildfire that had already closed access to a portion of a wilderness area and a regional highway.The late afternoon order threatened to create more tie-ups on rural and narrow roads already expected to be burdened with up to 200,000 visitors coming to the area from all over the world to watch Monday's total solar eclipse.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Residents of more than 400 homes in a prime eclipse-viewing location in Oregon were ordered to evacuate Friday because of a rapidly growing wildfire that had already closed access to a portion of a wilderness area and a regional highway.The late afternoon order threatened to create more tie-ups on rural and narrow roads already expected to be burdened with up to 200,000 visitors coming to the area from all over the world to watch Monday's total solar eclipse.
500-acre wildfire in Grant County forces mandatory evacuations, knocks out power to Quincy
QUINCY, Wash. -- A fast-spreading 500-acre wildfire forced mandatory evacuations northeast of Quincy and knocked out power to the city Wednesday night, authorities said.The Washington Fire Marshal said at least 10 homes were under mandatory Level 3 evacuations, and state mobilization had been approved to help battle the Monument Hill Fire."Homes and crops threatened," the state Fire Marshal tweeted about the "growing" wildfire.The Grant County Sheriff's Office said a Red Cross shelter was opening at midnight Quincy High School for those homeowners who had to evacuate.
QUINCY, Wash. -- A fast-spreading 500-acre wildfire forced mandatory evacuations northeast of Quincy and knocked out power to the city Wednesday night, authorities said.The Washington Fire Marshal said at least 10 homes were under mandatory Level 3 evacuations, and state mobilization had been approved to help battle the Monument Hill Fire."Homes and crops threatened," the state Fire Marshal tweeted about the "growing" wildfire.The Grant County Sheriff's Office said a Red Cross shelter was opening at midnight Quincy High School for those homeowners who had to evacuate.
Shifting winds expected to clear out wildfire smoke this weekend in Puget Sound
SEATTLE -- Smoke from British Columbia fires will continue to give us hazy skies for one more day, but relief is in sight.Q13 News Meteorologist M.J. McDermott says air quality Thursday morning is in the UNHEALTHY category around much of Seattle, Issaquah, Tacoma, Bremerton, Bellingham and the Eastern slopes of the Cascades.The good news?
SEATTLE -- Smoke from British Columbia fires will continue to give us hazy skies for one more day, but relief is in sight.Q13 News Meteorologist M.J. McDermott says air quality Thursday morning is in the UNHEALTHY category around much of Seattle, Issaquah, Tacoma, Bremerton, Bellingham and the Eastern slopes of the Cascades.The good news?
Puget Sound burn ban issued as smoke from fires returns
SEATTLE -- Another outdoor burn ban has been issued for the Puget Sound area as the hot and sunny pattern is expected to bring another round of smoke from British Columbia wildfires.The Puget Sound Clear Air Agency says the Stage 1 burn ban goes into effect for King, Pierce, Kitsap and Snohomish Counties at 2 p.m. Tuesday and will remain in effect until further notice.The ban means no charcoal barbecues or similar solid fuel devices, no campfires or bonfires, no fire pits, and no agricultural fires.
SEATTLE -- Another outdoor burn ban has been issued for the Puget Sound area as the hot and sunny pattern is expected to bring another round of smoke from British Columbia wildfires.The Puget Sound Clear Air Agency says the Stage 1 burn ban goes into effect for King, Pierce, Kitsap and Snohomish Counties at 2 p.m. Tuesday and will remain in effect until further notice.The ban means no charcoal barbecues or similar solid fuel devices, no campfires or bonfires, no fire pits, and no agricultural fires.