The smoke from wildfires has gotten so bad in that Washington and Idaho county health departments are telling everyone to stay indoors if possible.

Fire crews continue to fight wildfires in central Washington, south and central Oregon and southern Idaho. Forestry experts say these types of large wildfires could become more common across the West in the coming years.

Emergency managers in central Washington have started to collect damage reports from businesses and homeowners affected by this week's destructive wildfire. That's a prerequisite to apply for federal disaster assistance. State fire investigators have established that the Taylor Bridge Fire was human-caused.

Cle Elum, Washington is the type of town where people smile and nod in the supermarket parking lot –- even if you’re a stranger. This week the close-knit mountain community has been battling a more than 22,000-acre wildfire as of Wednesday night. The blaze has displaced many residents.

Firefighters on the scene of a destructive wildfire in central Washington are hoping to make major progress Wednesday toward containment of the blaze. The Kittitas County sheriff's office estimates more than 70 homes and cabins have been destroyed. The fire has chased hundreds of people from their homes and at least one unusual story of survival.

Heavy air tankers are dropping retardant on a stubborn wildfire still wreaking havoc in Washington’s Kittitas Valley.