Smoke from Central Washington wildfires pushed into Spokane on Thursday, raising air quality to unhealthy for sensitive groups and likely lingering into Friday. Forecasters cited the Labor Mountain and Lower Sugarloaf fires and gusty winds as primary drivers, with conditions expected to ease slightly Friday.

West Nile virus was detected in mosquito samples north of Moses Lake, Grant County, Washington—the first county detection since 2023. Mosquito control increased larvicide and adulticide treatments; officials advise prevention steps and note no recent human cases in the county.

A wildfire near Lake Spokane in southern Stevens County grew to over 2,000 acres by Sunday, prompting evacuations as thick smoke blanketed the region.

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.

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.

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.

Wildfires have already begun to take hold across Washington in the wake of record heat both east and west of the Cascades. Responders are currently battling a 31-square-mile fire in Adams County, after getting sparked in the town of Lind on Sunday morning. The fast-moving brush fire has been threatening homes and vital infrastructure.

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.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency Saturday for counties in the eastern part of the state