Washington’s wildfire season continues into October, with 237,000 acres burned and 11 major fires ongoing. Commissioner Dave Upthegrove highlighted the Bear Gulch Fire, the largest in Western Washington in decades, emphasizing health risks from lingering smoke. Washington has recently experienced the worst air quality in the U.S. due to wildfire smoke. He warned that without restored funding for wildfire prevention, the state may face larger fires and increased taxpayer costs. Current road closures due to the fires are affecting travel, with advice to take alternate routes. The Labor Mountain fire is just 7% contained, costing resources as officials prepare for potential winds. Travelers should consult official road condition sources to avoid misinformation.
Source link
