Page 2 - Low Divide News Today

OLYMPIA — The weather is cooling, but fire danger is still high, according to a statement from Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. Citing elevated temperatures and dry fuel conditions, Franz highlighted the need to protect both residents and firefighters from avoidable wildfire danger...

GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST — The 30-fire Cowlitz Complex in the southwest Washington Cascades National Forest between Mount Rainier and the Columbia River is now 40% contained at 715 acres and 296 personnel, according to the U.S. Fire Service.

KENNEWICK — The Dorian fire outside of Wallula between Kennewick and Walla Walla, was 30% contained at 200 acres Wednesday according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. It was human-caused, according to the DNR, but the specific cause was under investigation.

SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7, with a little help from its friends, extinguished a 2-acre wildfire Monday night in Soap Lake, according to a statement from the fire district. At about 10:45, GCFD 7 responded to a report of a structure fire at Division Street and SR 28, the statement said. When firefighters arrived, they found that no structures were actually burning, but a commercial building and multiple residences were threatened. Making matters worse were high winds, light fuels ...

MOSES LAKE — The wildfires in Olympic National Park grew over the weekend, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, while red flag warnings due to low humidity and relatively high winds held over much of the state...

Smoke, ash seen in Peninsula communities

Wildfires ignited by lightning last month in Olympic National Park swelled during a huge growth spurt this weekend, prompting the closure of more trails in the park while winds brought a smoke haze to the lowlands as well as ash to some areas of the North Olympic Peninsula.

Clallam County Sheriff's Office warned that the smoke from the fires is causing health issues as the Air Quality Index (AQI) drops.

Crews letting wildfires run their course

The Smith River Complex is now 90,294 acres and 51% contained.