Fatalities Mount as Eastern Washington Wildfires Rage On

A second person has died in the wildfires that have been raging in eastern Washington state since Friday, with hundreds of structures destroyed and a major interstate closed. Governor Jay Inslee has declared a statewide emergency and is seeking federal aid to assist with firefighting efforts. The fires have burned over 53 square miles and destroyed at least 265 structures. Air quality in the region remains poor, and mandatory evacuations are in effect. The cause of the fires is under investigation.