Region in brief: Lightning-sparked fires burning uncontained

State fire crews continue to battle two large blazes sparked by lighting storms this week.

A blaze that began Wednesday night in Yakima County has forced the closure of the Ahtanum State Forest, officials said. The Discover fire began on U.S. Forest Service land and has burned more than 150 acres; it was not contained Thursday night. Officials said the fire had the potential to spread rapidly, forcing the closure of the rugged forest popular with outdoor enthusiasts.

The Union Valley fire near Chelan, which was ignited Tuesday, had charred about 600 acres – fewer than earlier estimated – and was not contained by Thursday evening, state Department of Natural Resources officials said.

With persisting dry conditions and high temperatures west and east of the Cascade Mountains, fire levels in most Washington counties are rated high or extreme, officials said.

Sara Leaming

Little Spokane River’s flow falls to near minimum

Homeowners in the Little Spokane River watershed are being asked to conserve water to protect flows.

Pumping groundwater has “a big effect on the river,” said Brook Beeler, a community education specialist at the Washington Department of Ecology. “Whether they are located 20 feet or 20 miles from the stream, wells affect the underground flow into the river.”

By law, the Little Spokane must meet minimum stream flows to protect fish and wildlife habitat, recreation and water users. Beeler said river flows have dropped and are nearing the minimum level.

When people voluntarily conserve water, Beeler said, it reduces the chance that Ecology officials will have to tell junior water rights holders to stop irrigating their lawns and gardens so that there’s enough water for fish and senior water rights holders, who have priority by law.

Becky Kramer

Mead man dies of injuries after being dragged by SUV

A Mead-area man has died of injuries suffered July 22 when he was trapped and dragged beneath a disabled SUV he was trying to fix, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Timothy Carl Jackson, 50, died overnight Wednesday at a Spokane hospital, where he was being treated.

His Ford Explorer was stopped in the eastbound lane of Day-Mount Spokane Road east of U.S. Highway 2 when it was struck from behind by a Honda Accord driven by Cameron James Stevenson. The lights and flashers on the Ford were not operating, Spokane County sheriff’s deputies said.

The impact pushed the Explorer forward, throwing Jackson beneath the vehicle; he was dragged about 100 feet. Jackson’s wife, who was in the SUV, was not injured.

Mike Prager

Seattle man, 66, confirmed as heat wave’s first victim

SEATTLE – King County officials say a 66-year-old Seattle man is the first person to die because of the West Side heat wave.

The King County medical examiner’s office said heart disease was a contributing factor in the death Wednesday of Allen J. Paul.

King County Health Officer Dr. David Fleming said it’s possible the state may see additional deaths before the heat wave ends.

Fleming said heat puts additional stress on people with underlying chronic conditions, just like the flu and other infectious diseases.

Seattle temperatures have hovered above 85 degrees for six consecutive days, peaking at 103 on Wednesday.

Associated Press