When will this smoke, haze go away? Air quality in region the worst in nation
SEATTLE -- The air quality in the Puget Sound area is now at unhealthy levels with smoke hanging over us from wildfires in British Columbia.Puget Sound Clean Air Agency says they have declared the air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups like pregnant women and people who already have poor heart or lung health.
SEATTLE -- The air quality in the Puget Sound area is now at unhealthy levels with smoke hanging over us from wildfires in British Columbia.Puget Sound Clean Air Agency says they have declared the air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups like pregnant women and people who already have poor heart or lung health.
Wildfire danger rising across Western Washington
ROCHESTER, Wash. – A pair of homes were damaged Wednesday during an urban wildland fire in southern Thurston County.Firefighters spent hours Thursday putting out hot spots but the hot dry weather is making conditions ripe for wildfire all over Western Washington.The Washington State Department of Natural Resources said the fire risk up and down Interstate 5 is in the high or moderate range.Considering most communities in our region haven’t seen any real rain in weeks, fire officials worry we could see even more urban wildfires.Brad Hall shot cellphone video of the quick moving wildfire near Rochester.
ROCHESTER, Wash. – A pair of homes were damaged Wednesday during an urban wildland fire in southern Thurston County.Firefighters spent hours Thursday putting out hot spots but the hot dry weather is making conditions ripe for wildfire all over Western Washington.The Washington State Department of Natural Resources said the fire risk up and down Interstate 5 is in the high or moderate range.Considering most communities in our region haven’t seen any real rain in weeks, fire officials worry we could see even more urban wildfires.Brad Hall shot cellphone video of the quick moving wildfire near Rochester.
Firefighters say cat started brushfire in Eastern Washington
EPHRATA, Wash. -- A wildfire that burned a camper, outbuildings and cars in Eastern Washington was started by a cat.According to Grant County Fire District #13, a cat that climbed a utility pole somehow started a fire that spread rapidly around 3:30 a.m. on Rd B NW in Ephrata.Crews said Ephrata firefighters knocked down the fire and kept it from burning any residences.The fire burned multiple outbuildings, some cars and a camper that had been parked near an abandoned home.
EPHRATA, Wash. -- A wildfire that burned a camper, outbuildings and cars in Eastern Washington was started by a cat.According to Grant County Fire District #13, a cat that climbed a utility pole somehow started a fire that spread rapidly around 3:30 a.m. on Rd B NW in Ephrata.Crews said Ephrata firefighters knocked down the fire and kept it from burning any residences.The fire burned multiple outbuildings, some cars and a camper that had been parked near an abandoned home.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires blowing into Washington
Winds are pushing smoke from British Columbia wildfires into northern Washington and some models suggest smoke could make its way all the way down to King County.
Winds are pushing smoke from British Columbia wildfires into northern Washington and some models suggest smoke could make its way all the way down to King County.
New wildfire burning near Yakima
MABTON, Wash. -- A large wildfire is burning about 10 miles south of Mabton in Yakima County.Firefighters have been called from as far away as Spokane to try to get the fire under control.Washington Emergency Management says the fire has already burned an estimated 5 to 7,000 acres.People living nearby are being told to get ready to evacuate if needed.Yakima County Fire District No. 5, the Bureau of Land Management, Mabton and Yakama Nation firefighters were among those fighting the fire, which began Sunday evening.
MABTON, Wash. -- A large wildfire is burning about 10 miles south of Mabton in Yakima County.Firefighters have been called from as far away as Spokane to try to get the fire under control.Washington Emergency Management says the fire has already burned an estimated 5 to 7,000 acres.People living nearby are being told to get ready to evacuate if needed.Yakima County Fire District No. 5, the Bureau of Land Management, Mabton and Yakama Nation firefighters were among those fighting the fire, which began Sunday evening.
Firefighters warn of fire dangers as hot temperatures continue
Firefighters in western Washington are warning people that fires can start and spread very quickly as hot temperatures continue through the upcoming week."If you’ve seen very dry grass or straw, obviously it catches on fire very, very quickly,” said Kyle Ohashi, with the Kent Fire Department.Ohashi says this stretch of very hot weather across western Washington means grass and brush are very dry creating prime conditions for fires to spark quickly.
Firefighters in western Washington are warning people that fires can start and spread very quickly as hot temperatures continue through the upcoming week."If you’ve seen very dry grass or straw, obviously it catches on fire very, very quickly,” said Kyle Ohashi, with the Kent Fire Department.Ohashi says this stretch of very hot weather across western Washington means grass and brush are very dry creating prime conditions for fires to spark quickly.
Wildfire in eastern Washington threatens crops, cell towers
POMEROY, Wash. — Officials say a 3000-acre wildfire in eastern Washington state that started Saturday morning near the Snake River is threatening crops and cell towers east of Pomeroy.
POMEROY, Wash. — Officials say a 3000-acre wildfire in eastern Washington state that started Saturday morning near the Snake River is threatening crops and cell towers east of Pomeroy.
Strangers help man who lost beloved movie collection, home to wildfire
OROVILLE, Calif. – Northern California man Mark Orsillo is a massive movie buff – until recently, he had a collection of 300 of his favorite movies.Orsillo says the inspirational movie "Rudy" is his favorite. "I like the happy ending," Orsillo told KTXL with a sly grin.Orsillo is 34 years old and was born with Down syndrome.
OROVILLE, Calif. – Northern California man Mark Orsillo is a massive movie buff – until recently, he had a collection of 300 of his favorite movies.Orsillo says the inspirational movie "Rudy" is his favorite. "I like the happy ending," Orsillo told KTXL with a sly grin.Orsillo is 34 years old and was born with Down syndrome.
Anonymous woman picks up $400 dinner tab for crew who battled wildfire
COLTON, Calif. - A woman eating at the same California Denny's as a group of firefighters who had been battling a wildfire decided to pick up the $400 tab to show her appreciation for them over the weekend.About 25 firefighters had just finished fighting a fire in the La Loma Hills area of Colton on Saturday night when the woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the staff she wanted to pay for their meal and tip for a total of $405.22, the Colton Fire Department said in a Facebook post.The woman also bought a $100 gift card to pay for desserts for a second wave of 25-30 firefighters expected later that evening, according to the San Bernardino County Sun.
COLTON, Calif. - A woman eating at the same California Denny's as a group of firefighters who had been battling a wildfire decided to pick up the $400 tab to show her appreciation for them over the weekend.About 25 firefighters had just finished fighting a fire in the La Loma Hills area of Colton on Saturday night when the woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the staff she wanted to pay for their meal and tip for a total of $405.22, the Colton Fire Department said in a Facebook post.The woman also bought a $100 gift card to pay for desserts for a second wave of 25-30 firefighters expected later that evening, according to the San Bernardino County Sun.
Burn bans enacted as fire danger increases
MARYSVILLE, Wash. – As the temperatures continue to rise, so does the danger of wildfires across our state.Several North Sound counties have enacted burn bans because of the fire risk.
MARYSVILLE, Wash. – As the temperatures continue to rise, so does the danger of wildfires across our state.Several North Sound counties have enacted burn bans because of the fire risk.
Firefighters save nearly a dozen people in two Snoqualmie River rescues
FALL CITY, Wash. -- Nearly a dozen people are safe after two separate water rescues on the Snoqualmie River within hours of each other.Four people were rescued near Fall City, Washington around 6 p.m. Wednesday after they were seen clinging to a tree in the water.Firefighters helped three of the people from the shore, using a system of ropes.The fourth person was plucked off a log by a rescue boat and brought to shore.About four hours later, a second group of seven people had to be rescued after they got stuck on a sand bar.Firefighters used their swift water rescue boat to help that group to shore.No word yet if anyone was injured or how they ended up in the water.
FALL CITY, Wash. -- Nearly a dozen people are safe after two separate water rescues on the Snoqualmie River within hours of each other.Four people were rescued near Fall City, Washington around 6 p.m. Wednesday after they were seen clinging to a tree in the water.Firefighters helped three of the people from the shore, using a system of ropes.The fourth person was plucked off a log by a rescue boat and brought to shore.About four hours later, a second group of seven people had to be rescued after they got stuck on a sand bar.Firefighters used their swift water rescue boat to help that group to shore.No word yet if anyone was injured or how they ended up in the water.
Fireworks blamed for fire that knocked 10,000 Comcast customers offline in Pierce County
PUYALLUP, Wash. – Firefighting officials said Fourth of July fireworks are likely to blame for a number of injuries and property damage across the region.First responders in Pierce County said fireworks also caught a power pole ablaze – knocking out television, internet and telephone service for up to 10,000 Comcast customers.
PUYALLUP, Wash. – Firefighting officials said Fourth of July fireworks are likely to blame for a number of injuries and property damage across the region.First responders in Pierce County said fireworks also caught a power pole ablaze – knocking out television, internet and telephone service for up to 10,000 Comcast customers.
Fireworks likely sparked fire that disrupted Comcast service in Puyallup
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Comcast officials say a fire, likely started by fireworks, damaged fiber-optic lines in Puyallup on the 4th of July -- knocking out service to as many as 10,000 customers.Comcast Washington said crews found sparklers at the scene and believe fireworks caused the outage.Service was expected to be restored some time Wednesday afternoon.Comcast engineers say they are working to resolve the issue and that they appreciate customers' patience.
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Comcast officials say a fire, likely started by fireworks, damaged fiber-optic lines in Puyallup on the 4th of July -- knocking out service to as many as 10,000 customers.Comcast Washington said crews found sparklers at the scene and believe fireworks caused the outage.Service was expected to be restored some time Wednesday afternoon.Comcast engineers say they are working to resolve the issue and that they appreciate customers' patience.
Wildfire in central Washington grasslands grows to 74 square miles
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A wildfire burning in dry grasslands in a lowly populated part of central Washington state grew dramatically early Thursday, driven by hot weather and gusty winds, while firefighters gained ground on two smaller fires.The fire burning northwest of the town of Quincy increased in size from 16 square miles on Wednesday to 74 square miles on Thursday, the state Department of Natural Resources said.
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A wildfire burning in dry grasslands in a lowly populated part of central Washington state grew dramatically early Thursday, driven by hot weather and gusty winds, while firefighters gained ground on two smaller fires.The fire burning northwest of the town of Quincy increased in size from 16 square miles on Wednesday to 74 square miles on Thursday, the state Department of Natural Resources said.
Wildfire near Wenatchee threatens 80 homes
WENATCHEE, Wash. -- State and local officials say people in 80 homes south of Wenatchee have been told to get ready to leave because of a growing grass fire.State Department of Natural Resources fire officials said on Twitter that the fire that began Monday had grown to an 7 square miles by Monday night.Chelan County Emergency Management officials said on Twitter that people in those homes were being issued notices to get set to leave, meaning people should be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
WENATCHEE, Wash. -- State and local officials say people in 80 homes south of Wenatchee have been told to get ready to leave because of a growing grass fire.State Department of Natural Resources fire officials said on Twitter that the fire that began Monday had grown to an 7 square miles by Monday night.Chelan County Emergency Management officials said on Twitter that people in those homes were being issued notices to get set to leave, meaning people should be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
State firefighting crews mobilized for fast-growing 4,400-acre wildfire in Chelan County
WENATCHEE, Wash. -- State firefighting mobilization was approved for a wildfire in Chelan County that quickly grew to nearly 4,400 acres Monday night, Washington Emergency Management said.The Spartan Fire is located near Colockum Road southeast of Wenatchee.Level 2 evacuation notices -- meaning, people should be ready to leave if conditions get worse -- were issued for 80 homes, the Washington Emergency Management tweeted.
WENATCHEE, Wash. -- State firefighting mobilization was approved for a wildfire in Chelan County that quickly grew to nearly 4,400 acres Monday night, Washington Emergency Management said.The Spartan Fire is located near Colockum Road southeast of Wenatchee.Level 2 evacuation notices -- meaning, people should be ready to leave if conditions get worse -- were issued for 80 homes, the Washington Emergency Management tweeted.
Fireworks-related wildfires, injuries expected leading up to 4th of July
BONNEY LAKE, Wash. – State and local fire officials are sounding the alarm about illegal fireworks in our area.The Fourth of July is about a week away.
BONNEY LAKE, Wash. – State and local fire officials are sounding the alarm about illegal fireworks in our area.The Fourth of July is about a week away.
Wildfire burning near Leavenworth is mostly contained
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. -- A wildfire burning at a popular Washington state hiking and skiing destination is largely under control after burning for two days.Northwest Incident Management Team spokesman Brendan Cowan says the fire near the town of Leavenworth was 78 percent contained Thursday morning.No injuries have been reported and no structures have been damaged.The fire started Tuesday about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) north of the town in an old timber storage area.
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. -- A wildfire burning at a popular Washington state hiking and skiing destination is largely under control after burning for two days.Northwest Incident Management Team spokesman Brendan Cowan says the fire near the town of Leavenworth was 78 percent contained Thursday morning.No injuries have been reported and no structures have been damaged.The fire started Tuesday about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) north of the town in an old timber storage area.
Fire officials: Wildfire north of Leavenworth 50% contained; no homes damaged or injuries reported
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. -- Fire officials said Wednesday the timing of the 40-acre Spromberg Fire about 4 miles north of Leavenworth took them by surprise.The cause of the fire that began Tuesday at Spromberg Canyon Road and Chumstick Highway (State Route 209) is still under investigation, the state Fire Marshal's Office said.
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. -- Fire officials said Wednesday the timing of the 40-acre Spromberg Fire about 4 miles north of Leavenworth took them by surprise.The cause of the fire that began Tuesday at Spromberg Canyon Road and Chumstick Highway (State Route 209) is still under investigation, the state Fire Marshal's Office said.