3+ week, 2+ day ago   (341+ words) In the span of a month, firefighting costs for 20 wildfires burning across Washington have totalled $207 million, according to data from the state’s Department of Natural Resources. The expenses will be split among local, state and federal agencies. But the number…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago   (251+ words) A helicopter heads to drop water on the Deer Creek Fire on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, after a pickup near the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News) The Deer Creek Fire remained zero percent contained Friday morning, as…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago   (498+ words) The Higgins family (right) stand alongside friends Jeff Wilkins and Debi Koch with the first donations heading to Spokane. David Bernauer Karl Higgins is collecting donations in Hayden for Spokane fire victims. Inspired by an email from his church pastor…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago   (511+ words) Josh Gilliam, owner of Bug Out Pest and Spray Service, stands in front of his truck. Bug Out has ballooned over the year it’s been in business and has now expanded into sprinkler repair. MOSES LAKE — After a year of…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago   (398+ words) A column of smoke from the Cherry Peak Fire is visible from the area of the Thompson Falls airport on the afternoon of Aug. 18. (Courtesy InciWeb) Smoke was first spotted rising above Cherry Peak just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday. An initial…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago   (357+ words) Kootenai National Forest officials recently signed off on the Getner Salvage Project. It's the second that will target blowdown from the storms last winter in Lincoln County. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News) The Kootenai National Forest recently approved another blowdown…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago   (820+ words) Fire managers said their top priorities include securing containment lines near Salmon Meadows and Toats Coulee while continuing structure protection efforts around Toby’s Mill. More than 1,700 personnel are assigned to the incident. The Kaiser Canyon Fire near Nespelem is now…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago   (790+ words) Nearly 700,000 acres have burned across Idaho so far this year, and state officials are predicting fire risk will remain high through September. As the costs to fight fires increase, state agency staff said they plan to increase Idaho’s dedicated funding…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago   (409+ words) Kootenai National Forest officials recently signed off on the Getner Salvage Project. It's the second that will target blowdown from the storms last winter in Lincoln County. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News) The Kootenai National Forest recently approved another blowdown…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago   (613+ words) BONNERS FERRY — Activity on the Upper Smith Fire remains minimal, with most activity seen in the Long Canyon area, Northern Idaho Blue Team officials said Saturday. Patrols are taking place along the fire's northeastern edge between Smith Creek and Long…...