Cheney

A 1.5-mile stretch of the Spokane River in Spokane dried up for the second year in a row, two weeks earlier than last year, amid severe drought and reduced flow releases from Post Falls Dam. Wildlife impacts are already being reported, including dead fish and crayfish.

A wind-driven wildfire spread from the West Plains into Spokane, forcing mass evacuations in north Spokane and destroying dozens of homes and other structures. Strong winds, power outages, and road closures complicated emergency response as officials opened shelters and expanded evacuation zones.

During Spokane-area wildfire evacuations, some livestock were rescued in time, while others died in the fires. The article highlights the difficult choices and rapid coordination needed to move horses and other animals to safety.

Multiple wildfires continued burning across eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest, including the Bigelow fire near Spokane Valley, while smoke left Spokane skies hazy. Large fires on the Colville Reservation and in Douglas and Stevens counties also prompted evacuations.

Wildfire smoke from the Kaiser Canyon fire is keeping air quality poor across eastern Washington, including Spokane, while a heat advisory remains in effect. Conditions are expected to improve by midweek, though thunderstorms could worsen fire activity and smoke again.

Wildfire smoke moved into the Spokane region overnight, pushing air quality into the unhealthy range and triggering alerts from local monitors. Forecasters also warned of hot, windy weather and thunderstorms that could worsen fire danger.

A fast-moving wildfire in Spokane destroyed at least 15 homes and left one person presumed dead after human remains were found in a home where the occupant had refused to evacuate. Thousands remained under evacuation orders as crews worked the fire.

Unusually mild January weather in eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest prompted rare midwinter sightings of Milbert’s tortoiseshell butterflies, which normally don’t emerge until March.

Flooding caused by rapid snowmelt and rain in the Inland Northwest led to multiple road closures and forced highway maintenance crews to pump water off major roadways.

Two people were killed when a tree fell on their truck on U.S. Highway 2 near Spokane International Airport, likely due to heavy winds.

Severe wind gusts up to 70 mph caused significant damage in Spokane, Washington, downing trees and cutting power for thousands of residents. Tragically, two deaths occurred when a tree fell onto a vehicle.

A second case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been confirmed in Washington, detected in a white-tailed deer in Spokane County. This follows the first case earlier in the year.

Spokane experienced its fourth-hottest year on record in 2024, with exceptional summer heat, a significant dust storm, and an unprecedentedly wet late-year. Weather extremes spanned subzero temperatures in January to record summer heat and heavy rainfall later on.

Ponderosa pines in Eastern Washington are displaying signs of irregular growth.

A recent outbreak of salmonellosis is leading to the deaths of wild birds throughout the northern United States. The current die-off affects finches such as pine siskins as well as other songbirds.

Personnel from Spokane County Fire District 3 and the state Department of Natural Resources were working to contain the fires on Monday, while a record-breaking heat wave threatened to maintain ample supplies of dry air and fuel.

Demonstration of how easy ponderosa pine tree tops can be broken due to the effects of climate change.

The Institute of Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Tribes and Climate Change Program is publishing a report called the Status of Tribes and Climate C...

Back at his Spokane home, McCrea looked around. No bugs on the lights there either. No frogs in the pond. Only one bumblebee was buzzing against a porch light – and at an odd hour, around 10 p.m. that night.

Forecasters say Eastern Washington is likely headed for an unusually active wildfire season after low snowpack and early drying of vegetation created conditions that favor fire spread. Officials are urging residents to prepare homes, evacuation plans, and smoke precautions now.