The Columbian

Brent McCarthy, left, and Marissa Matthews, right, play on the Vancouver Waterfront pier with their son Xavier, 2, on Sept. 10, 2020. The family evacuated their Salem, Ore., home to escape the smoke and fire risk. "It's a good idea to start preparing for bad wildfires, and poor air quality, and be happy if it doesn't happen," said Uri Papish, Southwest Clean Air Agency executive director.

How do wildfires affect mental health? A new UW study examines the connection

April 4, 2024, 2:26pm Health

Checking air quality and staying indoors when smoke inundates Washington has become second nature during Washington’s wildfire season in recent years. But new research highlights how wildfires can affect a less visible aspect of well-being: mental health. Read story

Cleanup begins on the Jenny Creek Fire site near La Center on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023. The fire started at a residence and spread to wooded areas.

Update of Washington’s wildfire building code gets ditched

March 20, 2024, 7:52am Latest News Free

State officials scrapped new wildfire protection rules for homes and other buildings on Friday, the day the suite of building codes was set to take effect. Read story

DNR purchases Kalama fire station to serve as wildfire-fighting base after Larch closure

February 7, 2024, 8:07pm Clark County News

The Washington State Board of Natural Resources approved the purchase of a 1.03-acre site 5 miles east of Kalama as a base for fighting wildfires in Southwest Washington. Read story

Firefighter Michael Hickey works at the scene Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023, after a blaze destroyed a primary residence and surrounding structures on the same property near La Center on Wednesday night. The incident sparked a significant brush fire that prompted evacuation warnings well into the north county community.

Washington lawmakers hope to tweak new wildfire protection rules for homes

February 5, 2024, 6:00am Latest News Free

Washington lawmakers are looking to quell some of the backlash over new wildfire-related building codes set to take effect in March, while also trying to keep homes on the edge between wooded and developed areas safe from the blazes. Read story

A panel of wildfire experts from around Washington discuss the issue Thursday during The Columbian Conversations: Wildfires in Southwest Washington event at Kiggins Theatre.

Franz to Vancouver audience: ‘We have got to realize that fires are now going to be an annual experience’

February 2, 2024, 10:51am Clark County News

Dark billowing smoke, clusters of forest engulfed in flames and charred earth. Read story

Tagged Articles:
Wildfires

How do wildfires affect mental health? A new UW study examines the connection

Update of Washington’s wildfire building code gets ditched

DNR purchases Kalama fire station to serve as wildfire-fighting base after Larch closure

Washington lawmakers hope to tweak new wildfire protection rules for homes

Franz to Vancouver audience: ‘We have got to realize that fires are now going to be an annual experience’

Renter sues BNSF Railway over July Tunnel Five Fire, says home, belongings destroyed in blaze

Lands commissioner Franz joins Columbian Conversations event on intensifying wildfire seasons in region

WA 2023 fire season a ‘wake-up call,’ DNR chief says

Gov. Inslee asks White House to aid Spokane County wildfire survivors

Fighting fire with Firewise: Columbia River Gorge towns push for more wildfire safety practices

Tagged Articles:Wildfires

Tagged Articles:
Wildfires