Washington News

Smoke Lifts over Washington fires, but Potential for Fire Growth Remains

The massive cloud of smoke began to lift over Washington wildfires over the weekend, but as air quality improves the fire’s behavior could become more erratic and intense, fire officials said. “It’s like a flue opening in a fireplace,” said …

Washington Wildfires Remain Threat in Hot, Dry Weather

Crews continued their battle late Monday with several large fires threatening home in the Chelan area in central Washington. The blazes have destroyed more than 50 structures, forced about 1,500 residents to flee and scorched more than 155 square miles. …

Washington City Sues Monsanto Over River Contamination

The city of Spokane is suing the international agrochemical giant Monsanto, which it blames for pollution in the Spokane River in Washington. The lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Spokane, alleges that the company sold chemicals that …

California, Pacific Northwest Schools Get $4M for Earthquake Early Warning Systems

The U.S. Geological Survey has awarded $4 million to four universities in the Pacific Northwest and California to boost the development of earthquake early warning systems. The University of Washington, the University of Oregon, the California Institute of Technology and …

Energi Opens Northwest Regional Office in Washington

Energi has opened the company’s first Pacific Northwest regional office in Kirkland, Wash. The office outside of Seattle will house a number of insurance and risk management professionals serving the company’s clients and partners in the Northwest. Five Energi employees …

Officials Say Washington Wildfire Was Human-Caused

Officials say a wildfire that has burned one home and torched nearly 6 square miles in southeastern Washington was likely human-caused. Fire spokeswoman Sarah Foster says the cause is under investigation, though officials determined lightning was not the cause. Nearly …

Washington Worker’s Family Sues Over Fatal Boeing 777 Air Bag

The family of a Washington man who was fatally injured while he was working on a seat belt air bag replacement that inflated explosively is suing Boeing Co. and a supplier. The lawsuit filed in July in King County Superior …

Washington Cameras Catch Drivers Illegally Passing School Buses

A school district in Pierce County, Wash. has issued an average of 30 citations a month since it mounted cameras on school buses last winter to catch drivers illegally passing buses. The News Tribune of Tacoma reported that the violations, …

7 in California and Washington Charged With 100+ Counts of Auto Insurance

Seven people in California and Washington were arrested for allegedly conspiring to defraud eight insurance companies by submitting fraudulent auto insurance claims totaling more than $175,000. Detectives from the California Department of Insurance, assisted by Snohomish County Marshall’s Office and …

Firefighters Battle Blazes in 4 Western States

Wildfires are sweeping through several dry Western states, including a massive blaze burning out of control in Northern California. A look at the latest hotspots and what crews are doing to control them: Northern California A wildfire has grown to …