fires

There’s a few places where the Spokane fires didn’t burn quite so hot or quite so fast. Officials with the Washington state Department of Natural Resources say that’s because trees in these areas had been thinned. That helps make a forest ecosystem healthier.

In Spokane, a suspected arsonist has been arrested and had his first hearing. Thousands are evacuated out of their homes. Many have lost everything they've worked their entire lives for.

In Spokane, around 60,000 people have been evacuated — fleeing several fires. But they're not the only ones. Animals have also had to leave their homes.

Soon, the town of White Salmon, Washington, will be a little more prepared for wildfires. The state is building a fuel break around the town.

Washington state’s Department of Natural Resources is developing wildfire risk and hazard maps. It’s an effort to help the state and local communities better prepare for wildfires.

After a slew of firings and deferred resignations last winter, the loss of federal workers left holes throughout the Northwest. But agency leaders in North Idaho found a way to get more fire information out to the public despite staffing losses.

Crews are preparing for a wind event with 35 mph gusts that could make firefighting efforts challenging.

Another burn ban is announced — this time for Eastern Washington.

A wildfire that started Friday on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, near White Salmon, has grown to more than 10,700 acres and destroyed 14 homes.

Local authorities said an armed man started a fire on a mountain in northern Idaho and then began shooting at responding firefighters, killing two and injuring a third.