Washington News

Western States Top Wildfire Risk Scores in New Analysis

California, Oregon, Colorado, Washington and Arizona are the states most at risk for wildfires, earning an “F” rating, according to a new analysis by Guidewire detailing wildfire risk in the U.S. at local, state, and national levels. Guidewire’s HazardHub data …

Viewpoint: UIM Coverage and The ‘Floating Layer’ Theory

Most insurance claims professionals understand that, as opposed to uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which pays damages to an insured who is involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is automobile insurance coverage which protects an …

Officers Cleared in Manuel Ellis’ Death to Each Receive $500K to Leave Department

Three Washington state police officers who were cleared of criminal charges in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis — a Black man who was shocked, beaten and restrained facedown on a sidewalk as he pleaded for breath — will each …

Growing Wildfire Destroys Structures in Washington Near Columbia River Gorge

UNDERWOOD, Wash. (AP) — A weekend wildfire along the Columbia River in southwestern Washington continued growing on Monday to 546 acres (221 hectares), prompting evacuations and burning structures, according to authorities. Skamania County firefighters responded to reports of the wildfire …

Washington Wildfire Caused by Pyrotechnic, Police Seek Tips

CAMAS, Wash. (AP) — A wildfire in southwest Washington state that ballooned in size Sunday, causing regional air quality issues, may have been started by a firework or firearm, officials said. The Nakia Creek Fire started Oct. 9 on Larch …

Evacuation Area Shrinks Near Southwest Washington Fire

CAMAS, Wash. (AP) — Some roads reopened and evacuation zones shrank near a wildfire fed Sunday by gusty winds and low humidity east of Vancouver, Washington, as fire officials got a better handle on fire activity amid weather changes. About …

Wildfire in Southwest Washington Prompts Evacuation Orders

CAMAS, Wash. (AP) — A wildfire fed by gusty winds and low humidity east of Vancouver, Washington, grew rapidly on Sunday, prompting authorities to order evacuations as the blaze sent up a plume of white smoke visible throughout the metropolitan …

Firefighters Keep Wildfire out of Evacuated Washington Town

LIND, Wash. (AP) — A small town in Washington state that was evacuated due to a fast-moving fire was largely spared Friday, while in California crews made progress against the state’s deadliest and largest wildfire of the year. Adams County …

‘Devastation’: Month After Floods, Slow Return to Normal

SUMAS, Wash. (AP)–Over a month has passed since flooding inundated northwest Washington’s Whatcom County that caused some $50 million in damage. As Roger De Bruin returned to his flood-damaged home in Sumas on Thursday, the word devastation came to his …

Dead ‘Murder Hornet’ Near Seattle is 1st Found in US in 2021

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Scientists have found a dead Asian giant hornet north of Seattle, the first so-called murder hornet discovered in the country this year, federal and state investigators said Wednesday. Entomologists from the state and U.S. Agriculture departments …