KIRO Newsradio Headlines: Lightest wildfire season for WA in a decade

Washington is seeing its lightest wildfire season in a decade.

The wet, cool start to summer made a big difference.

Our state’s public lands commissioner says new firefighting strategies are helping, as well.

We’ve had approximately 10% of the land scorched this entire summer, as we did over Labor Day weekend in 2020.

One of those fires leveled most of Malden in Eastern Washington and burning forests temporarily gave Western Washington the worst air quality in the world.

Orca Lift Rides to drop in price

Major changes to the price of public transportation are coming.

Most local transit agencies that aren’t already letting teens and kids ride for free, will start allowing it tomorrow, including Sound Transit trains.

In addition, some Orca Lift rides will cost less. Orca lift provides reduced rates for low-income riders.

That fare will drop to $1 on Sound Transit, Metro buses, water taxis, and Everett and Kitsap Transit buses.

Port Angeles schools begin despite strike looming

School began today in the Port Angeles School District, but the Teachers Association says classes may only last a couple of days.

That’s because teachers plan to strike Tuesday if they fail to reach a new contract agreement with the district.

Homicide on Highway 2

A homicide was discovered alongside Highway 2 in Gold Bar this morning.

Snohomish County deputies said the victim is a man, but no other information is being released to the public right now.

Major Crimes Unit detectives have begun their homicide investigation. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Fatal car crash in Tacoma

Someone driving a stolen car gets into a roadway crash in Tacoma, killing a person in another vehicle.

Police say the suspect driver took off on foot after this afternoon’s collision near McKinley Park.

Investigators say the car was stolen in Puyallup.

Listen to KIRO Newsradio on 97.3 FM. Stream it live here.