Washington wildfires size of small state

Thousands of firefighters are battling more than 60 large wildfires, and 13 have been killed so far this year.

That’s according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

The BC Wildfire Service says shifting winds overnight stoked the Testalinden Creek fire, which measures about 37 square kilometres and is burning south of Oliver. The declaration freed up federal disaster relief resources to help fight the fires and to assist people impacted by them.

Cantwell said they have bi-partisan support for making these changes, and now need to take it back to “the other Washington” and convince members of Congress whose states are not burning up that dealing with wildfires should be a national priority.

U.S. lawmakers were discussing ways to boost wildfire fighting capacity at a meeting in Seattle on Thursday during a summer that has seen scores of major blazes scorch almost 1.7 million acres (685,000 hectares) across the drought-parched West. The fire is about 17 percent contained by more than 1,300 firefighters.

The fire erupted Thursday in Chiniak (chihn-ee-AHK’), which is about 10 miles southeast of Kodiak on the easternmost point of Kodiak Island. Almost 600 firefighters are working to protect structures, put in fire lines and use burnouts along U.S. Highway 95 and the Salmon River. Kneisley said he was up all night watching the fire blacken the ridge above his home.

These 27 homes were just placed on an evacuation alert Thursday evening.

Of the more than 200 buildings threatened by the fire, 106 were year-round and vacation residences, including the Izaak Walton Inn. We could have 2,000 more fire fighters. The blaze is located south of John Day mostly on the Malheur National Forest.

Environment Canada has issued a special air-quality statement for the region and recommends residents avoid strenuous outdoor activities and get medical help if they have difficulty breathing, chest pains or other health concerns.

Spokeswoman Stefanie Gatchell says a cold front bringing rain to western Oregon this weekend will bring thunderstorms and gusty winds to the fire, so crews are working to reinforce their lines.

Meanwhile, the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park reopened Friday after being closed due to a nearby wildfire.