Largest wildfires grow less than expected

Washington’s two largest wildfires grew on Sunday, but not as much as fire officials feared.

Warm, dry conditions increased the Columbia Complex of fires near Dayton by about 4,000 acres on both Saturday and Sunday. It covered more than 138 square miles or 88,652 acres Sunday evening.

An official said relatively quiet winds, averaging 8 mph, slowed the growth of fire, despite temperatures in the 80s and 90s.

The forecast called for slightly cooler temperatures but gusting winds in the afternoon and a slight chance of thunderstorms both today and Tuesday.

Smoke kept fire officials from measuring the Tripod Complex of fires northeast of Winthrop on Sunday, said fire spokesman Greg Thayer.

He said the fire complex was at least 236 square miles or 151,000 acres by Sunday evening, but was probably a few thousand acres larger.

Growth on other state fires was minimal Sunday.

– Associated Press

Spokane

Expect to see police near school zones

Spokane Police will be out Tuesday to make sure drivers slow down for kids around schools.

Patrol officers will be targeting motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians or crossing guards, or who violate the 20 mph school zone speed limit, said police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer DeRuwe.

The 20 mph speed limit areas are designated by two types of signs. The first is “When Children are Present,” which is posted near elementary and middle schools and applies when children are walking or riding their bicycles near the schools, DeRuwe said.

The second is “7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. School Days,” which is posted near high schools and is enforced only during those hours.

The non-negotiable fine for speeding in a school zone is $177. The ticket for failure to yield to a pedestrian is $101.

– Jody Lawrence-Turner

Coeur d’Alene

Motorcyclist hurt in backwoods crash

A man was injured Sunday afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a tree on a remote Forest Service road in North Idaho.

The unidentified man was airlifted to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene for treatment after the 1:03 p.m. accident, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department officials said in a statement.

The man was riding in the Crooked Ridge area near Forest Service Road 258 when the accident occurred.

U.S. Forest Service officials are investigating the crash.

– JoNel Aleccia