'I felt helpless': Yakima homeowners take advantage of Wildfire Ready Neighbors program
YAKIMA, Wash. — Yakima County homeowners can now get a firefighter to visit their property and help them figure out what they need to…
Wildfire
Forecast: Central Oregon highest risk for wildfires
Yakima firefighters responded to 233 incidents including two-acre brush fire & flaming garage
YAKIMA, Wash. — It was another busy week for crews at the City of Yakima Fire Department with 233 reported incidents in only a weeklong span, according to an alert by fire officials on Monday morning. A social media post…
DNR transfers surplus fire engines to Eastern Washington fire districts
Credit: DNRSPOKANE, Wash. – The Department of Natural Resources presented four Eastern Washington fire districts with surplus wildfire engines on Monday. It is part of the agency’s effort to strengthen fire response in wildfire-prone rural areas. The engines were given to Pend Oreille Fire District 5, Spokane Fire District 2, Stevens Fire District 10 and Stevens Fire District 5 in…
U.S. Forest Service to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk in Yakima & Kittitas counties
The U.S. Forest Service is investing in additional prescribed fires and tree thinning projects in Yakima and Kittitas counties as part of a…
Yakima County Sheriff's Office is hiring dispatchers
YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Yakima County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) posted on Facebook that they are now hiring dispatchers. According to YCSO, they offer a $4,000 hiring and recruitment bonus. Officials said that "computer skills are a must," no college is…
DNR purchases Dallesport school building for regional wildfire hub
DALLESPORT, Wash. — By purchasing a vacant building in Klickitat County, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (Washington DNR) hopes to provide a prompt, full-scale response to wildfires in the Columbia River Gorge. The Dept. of Natural Resources is…
Farmers face consequences of ‘exceptional’ Northwest drought
The Inland Northwest is facing its worst drought in decades.
Schneider Springs Fire surpasses 50% containment after 56 days
NILE, Wash. — After 56 days of fire suppression efforts on the Schneider Springs Fire, crews have finally surpassed 50% containment on the 107,118-acre wildfire burning natural land in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. According to a release from crews on…
Woman arrested on suspicion of starting California blaze
REDDING, Calif. (AP) — A San Francisco Bay Area woman has been arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire that spread rapidly through a rural area, prompting evacuations orders Thursday in a Northern California community, authorities said.
Schneider Springs Fire: Evacuation zones shift along Highway 410
NILE, Wash. — After warmer weather conditions slightly advanced the growth of the Schneider Springs Fire, Yakima Valley Emergency Management is ushering in new evacuation parameters for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Per YVEM, Level 2 (GET SET) Evacuations are set…
Schneider Springs Fire containment improves with precipitation
YAKIMA, Wash. — Now 31% contained after 47 days of firefighting efforts, the Schneider Springs Fire has partially dulled thanks to cooler temperatures and recent precipitation in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This afforded fire crews an opportunity to improve containment…
Eastern Washington DNR lands to reopen on Thursday
The announcement is scheduled to come out at 10 a.m.
Crowds gather to protest President Joe Biden's Idaho visit
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — More than 1,000 protesters gathered in Boise, Idaho, on Monday morning during a visit by President Joe Biden to express their displeasure about his coronavirus plan, the election and other issues.
Biden visits Idaho; will survey fire damage, push spending plan w/ tax hikes
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — President Joe Biden is promoting his administration’s use of a wartime law to aid in wildfire preparedness Monday during a Western swing in which he's surveying damage in California and meeting with fire officials in Idaho.
Firefighters focus on protecting homes from the Schneider Springs Fire
NACHES, Wash. — Firefighters are focused on protecting homes along the northern perimeter of the Schneider Springs Fire, which grew more than 2,000 acres in less…
"Go Now!" Evacuations expanded in Schneider Springs Fire
Everyone west of Highway 410 to Bumping Lake needs to grab family members, pets, and important documents — and get out as the Schneider Springs…
Schneider Springs Fire generates heavy smoke over Yakima highways
NILE, Wash. — Wildfires thrive under hot and dry weather conditions, which is why crews are working tirelessly to improve containment on the Schneider Springs Fire burning natural land in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. While people and structures are…
Air Quality Index values return to unhealthy levels for the Yakima Valley
YAKIMA, Wash. — Air quality in Yakima went from “good” to “unhealthy" Tuesday morning as the Schneider Springs Fire continues to burn to the west. The fire has now consumed 94,206 Acres and is sitting at 14% containment. "The Northwest…
Green Ridge Fire now 40% contained; minimal growth over last week
PENDLETON, Ore. -- The Green Ridge Fire continues to make steady progress towards containment. The fire is now 40% contained, and grew just over 1,000 acres in the past week. According to a press release on Saturday, firefighters continue to…
Schneider Springs Fire scorched more than 84,500 acres in one month, 10% contained
YAKIMA CO., Wash. -- Firefighters have improved containment of the Schneider Springs Fire in Yakima County that has burned more than 84,500 acres in one month. RELATED: Schneider Springs Fire 8% contained, over 82,000 acres burned in Yakima County According…
Fire officials need help to prevent wildfires over Labor Day weekend
Fire officials are asking for the public's help in not adding to the growing list of wildfires burning across Washington state by being careful in…
Walmart will donate up to $10 million for natural disaster relief
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In light of the devastating impact of Hurricane Ida across the southern, and now northeastern United States, Walmart is matching every donation dollar-for-dollar up to $5 million for natural disaster relief. According to a press memo issued…
GALLERY: Orphaned bear cubs burned in wildfires rehabilitated by PAWS
LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Hundreds of thousands of acres are burning across Eastern Washington, destroying natural habitats and displacing animals of all kinds. The PAWS Wildlife Center is drawing attention to injured and orphaned bear cubs who've lost their homes…
