Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• State parks’ pass is on ice for weekend, so you’re free to frolic

  January 15, 2012 in City on Page B1 Washington State Parks began charging for access last year after millions of dollars in budget cuts, but access is free this weekend. “I think it’s perfect,” said Amanda Haan, who …

• Discover Pass now required

  September 15, 2011 in Outdoors on Page K5 Washington’s new Discover Pass, required on vehicles accessing most state lands, might impact some sportsmen even though they get a parking permit when they buy their hunting and fishing licenses. …

• 30-acre fire burning in south Spokane County

  August 17, 2011 in News Multiple agencies are responding to a 30-acre fire near Long Road in south Spokane County at the Whitman County line. 3

• Crews respond to brush fire in west Spokane

  July 5, 2011 in City Crews from Spokane County Fire District 10 and the state Department of Natural Resources are on the scene of a small brush fire in west Spokane.

• Fees approved for state’s parks, recreation areas

  May 13, 2011 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – Planning on driving to a state park or recreation area for some fun in the great outdoors after July 1? It’ll cost you. The same for visiting a … 35

• County receives conservation list

    December 8, 2010 in City Spokane County’s Conservation Futures program may get a new, narrower target for acquiring public open-space land.

• 80 acre blaze near Rockford contained

  August 19, 2010 in News A combine clipped a low-hanging power line that started an 80-acre blaze south of Rockford on Thursday.

• Burning banned on Washington state lands for summer

  July 12, 2010 in Region The state Department of Natural Resources is banning outdoor burning from July 15 through Sept. 30 on state-protected lands to help prevent wildfires.

• Grants help homeowners cut risk of wildfire damage

  May 6, 2010 in City on Page A5 Steve and Mary Franklin jumped at the chance for grant money to reduce wildfire risk on their 12-acre wooded property west of Nine Mile Falls. Using a series of grants, … 1

• Nature agencies asked to share

  December 3, 2009 in Outdoors, City Plans announced Wednesday to streamline how state natural-resource agencies deliver services to the public did not include consolidation of any state agencies. 1

• Wash. suspends Nile mine operations

  November 5, 2009 in Region Washington state has issued an emergency order to suspend operations at a gravel mine near a landslide that rerouted central Washington’s Naches River and damaged homes.

• Okanogan fire destroys home, prompts evacuation

  August 22, 2009 in News, Region Wildfires near Okanogan in north central Washington have destroyed one home and are threatening 50 others, prompting a mandatory evacuation of the area.

• Wildfires char thousands of acres

  August 21, 2009 in News, Region Lightning-sparked wildfires burned around the region on Friday, including one that consumed some 2,500 acres in northwest Whitman County and another that forced a temporary evacuation of a campground near …

• Crews work about 40 fires across region

  July 29, 2009 in City A six-acre fire north of Spokane Valley near Arbor Crest winery was surrounded by bulldozer lines early this morning, and state firefighters were mopping up the blaze, which is in …

• Thunderstorms sparking fires throughout region

  July 25, 2009 in City, Region Thunderstorms north of Spokane County sparked 34 fires Saturday and more may be on the horizon as the chance of storms continues Sunday.

• Burning restrictions begin in northeastern counties

  July 21, 2009 in City, Idaho The Washington Department of Natural Resources today announced burning restrictions on DNR-protected lands in Spokane, Stevens, Ferry, Lincoln and Okanogan counties.

• Natural beauty next door

  July 16, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page S1 A visit beyond the Dishman Hills Natural Area sign displayed on the south side of the 8600 block of Appleway Boulevard provides a glimpse into how Spokane got its slogan, …

• Crews quickly contain Dishman wildfire

  July 10, 2009 in City A five-acre brush fire in the Dishman Hills area was quickly contained Friday – the anniversary of last year’s Valley View Fire.

• Healing slow a year after Valley View fire

  July 10, 2009 in City on Page A1 A year removed from a wind-fueled inferno that claimed 11 homes, the ridge bordering the Dishman Hills Natural Area is a lush carpet of grass where a massive stand of …

• Cutbacks curtail campsite comforts

  July 9, 2009 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – You’re still welcome to hike, picnic and camp at dozens of Department of Natural Resources sites across the state. But brace yourself for a primitive experience. The road …

• Rich Landers: Volunteers critical for public lands

  July 9, 2009 in Outdoors on Page B1 I took my eye off Olympia to chase the tail end of the salmon fly hatches in Idaho and Montana intermittently during the past two weeks, and returned to the …

• Tussock moth outbreak in Okanogan County

  March 18, 2009 in Region The Department of Natural Resources is telling landowners in Okanogan County to be on the lookout for tree damage from an outbreak of the Douglas fir tussock moth.