October arrives, but Washington's wildfire season continues

October arrives, but Washington's wildfire season continues

October has arrived, but Washington’s wildfire season is far from over.

Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove toured the area near the Labor Mountain fire on Wednesday, one of the major wildfires still burning in the state.

“Right now, in Washington State, 237,000 acres have burned this fire season,” Upthegrove said. “We have 11 major fires burning right now, in the state of Washington.”

The Bear Gulch Fire is among this year’s fires. It is on the Olympic Peninsula.

“[It is] the largest fire we’ve seen in Western Washington in decades, a reminder that this is an all of Washington issue,” Upthegrove said.

He warned that lingering smoke is putting people’s health at risk — especially seniors, children, and those with respiratory conditions.