SPOKANE — The National Weather Service has expanded its “red flag warning” for wildfire danger to all of Washington east of the Cascades.
The warning also covers parts of eastern Oregon and the Idaho Panhandle.
Forecasters say there’s a chance of lightning through Saturday afternoon that could start large fires in the hot, dry weather.
Associated Press
Nespelem: Wildfire burns across 5,000 acres
A fast-moving wildfire has raced across nearly 8 square miles of dry grassland and scrub brush west of Nespelem in northcentral Washington. The fire is reportedly threatening about 40 structures.
Nearby residents say the fire started Thursday morning.
Washington state, local and Colville Indian Reservation firefighters have responded.
The fire is burning in Okanogan County but the Ferry County sheriff’s office says it has blown smoke into western Ferry County.
Associated Press
Coles Corner: Anglers swarm to Lake Wenatchee for sockeye
Anglers have been swarming to Lake Wenatchee for the first sockeye fishery in four years, but their delight may end soon.
A state fish biologist, Art Viola, says the season will last only as long as enough fish are swimming up the Wenatchee River to meet spawning goals. Viola says the Fish and Wildlife Department has set the goal at 23,000 sockeye salmon at Tumwater Dam.
On Wednesday, the first morning of the season on the lake near Leavenworth, hundreds of anglers got their two-fish-a-day limit within two hours of launching their boats.
Viola says it appears to be the largest sockeye run in the Columbia River system in about 50 years, and the agency wants to make sure the fish keep returning.
The Wenatchee World
Puyallup: Hundreds attend services for fallen fire chief
A procession of more than 150 fire engines and other emergency vehicles drove from the Puyallup Fairgrounds to the Christian Faith Center in Federal Way on Thursday for the service for East Pierce County Fire and Rescue Chief Dan Packer.
The 49-year-old from Lake Tapps was overrun by a wildfire and killed July 26 in Klamath National Forest in Northern California.
At the church, two fire engines raised their ladders in an arch holding a large American flag.
A similar service was held Monday at Fort Worden State Park for an 18-year-old firefighter from Port Townsend. Andy Palmer was struck by a falling tree July 25 while fighting a fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Park in Northern California.
Associated Press
Tacoma: Point Defiance Zoo gets $500,000 gift
The Point Defiance Zoological Society has received a $500,000 donation from the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation to bring new animals to the zoo.
The zoo says the money is part of an effort to raise more than $7 million to bring new animal exhibits to the zoo, including a clouded leopard, red wolf and 17 other species. So far, 60 percent of the money has been raised.
The News Tribune
Oregon: European Kindred founder indicted on gun charges
The founder of the European Kindred white supremacist organization has been indicted on weapons charges in Oregon.
David Patrick Kennedy pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Thursday in U.S. District Court in Portland.
A federal grand jury indicted the 40-year-old Kennedy on a charge of selling a firearm to a known felon.
A co-defendant, 29-year-old Christina Marie Allen, was also arraigned and pleaded not guilty to a charge of being an ex-convict in possession of a firearm.
A trial was set for Oct. 7 before U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman.
Associated Press
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