Luckily they aren’t usually as devastating as the Oso mudslide in 2014, which we’re still recovering from. Whether you deal with Seattle traffic every day or you cruise down the backgrounds of our rural areas, you should always be cautious. St. John Street Dunkin' closed due to COVID-19, WWII navigator aboard B-24 bomber attributes great attitude for a long life well lived, Wildfire near Yakima grows to 52,000 acres, threatens 900 homes, Smoke from California wildfires creates hazy skies over Washington, Dry conditions spark concerns about wildfire danger in Washington state. Updated 5:21 pm EDT, Wednesday, September 23, 2020 Mount Saint Helens erupted in 1980, and Mount Rainier could erupt at any time. Rachel La Corte, Associated Press. That being said, living in this beautiful state is not without its risks. Projected state revenues improve in Washington state. RELATED: Wildfire near Yakima grows to 52,000 acres, threatens 900 homes. While Washington state hasn't seen the intensity of fires in Oregon or California, the state is in the middle of it's most at-risk time for fires. “So we just want people to be very aware.”. We still think living here beats being just about anywhere else, and we won’t lose (much) sleep over things that may never happen. 2. The Department of Natural Resources, which is the largest fire department in the state, is responsible for wildfire on 13 million acres of state and private lands. © 2020 NEWS CENTER Maine. Firefighters are already busy trying to extinguish the more than 52,000 acre Evans Canyon fire, which is threatening hundreds of homes northwest of Yakima. Interactive real-time wildfire and forest fire map for Washington. All Rights Reserved. The holiday weekend's hot and dry weather, along with people starting campfires and barbecues, will raise the state's wildfire risk. So far, the agency says, it has not been requested to help out in California, where hundreds of wildfires are now burning. Fortunately, it's expected to stay at a high altitude. City of Tukwila 2. While it will hit Seattle and the coast first, the entire state will be affected. Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State. Even for most of the state, which is not considered excessively dry or in drought, conditions are dry, which is seasonally normal for this time of year. State forest managers are urging people to be careful with fires as they fan out across Washington state for a hot, dry Labor Day weekend. We’ve got some gorgeous mountains for hiking, lakes for boating and fishing, hunting spots, ski slopes and swimming holes. However, the new Drought Monitor, a joint Federal project which includes the USDA and NOAA, does show much of the Cascades and southwest Washington either abnormally dry or in drought now. Love Washington? Hopefully we’d have some warning and could prepare. But we're in the middle of what has historically been the state's driest, and most dangerous, stretch. We don’t get hurricanes, and the small tornadoes we see here aren’t life-threatening. It's the state's biggest fire this year and is an example of how one lick of a flame can ignite a huge swath of land in just hours. One of those downed logs that Cork tested this week is about a foot across. That later category is what we’ll be looking at today. Edit. Being overdue for an earthquake that can lead to a tsunami. One of the reasons for an emergency declaration for wildfires has to do with limited resources, firefighters, aircraft and engines. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. “We're in about an 8 to 9% moisture, which is firewood dry,” Cork said. There has been much speculation, but we won’t know how bad it will be until it happens. This is being updated. Unfortunately that exposes us to risk of insect bites, broken limbs and other disasters. This Hike Passing Clara And Marion Lake Is One You’ll Definitely Want To Take This Fall In Washington, Order Some Of The Best, Down-Home Coastal Comfort Food At Sara’s Rusty Spur Bar & Grill In Washington, The Roadside Hamburger Hut In Washington That Shouldn’t Be Passed Up, Washington’s Kalaloch 4th Beach Trail Is A Unique Place To Visit, 7 Of The Most Beautiful Fall Destinations In Washington, Smoking Monkey Pizza Is A Sci Fi Themed Pizzeria In Washington That Is Out Of This World Good, Some Of Washington’s Most Delicious Italian Food Is Served Inside Renovated Old House In Tacoma, Featuring A Lake And Views Of Mt Baker, The Chain Lake Loop Trail Is One Of Washington’s Most Rewarding Hikes, https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/, 15 Irresistible Restaurants That Define Washington.