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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

2020 Wildfires

High temperatures, increasing winds bring fire danger, smoke to Spokane area
High temperatures, increasing winds bring fire danger, smoke to Spokane area. View gallery
News >  Nation

Cancer-causing chemical taints water after California blaze

Officials say the drinking water in Paradise, California, is contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical benzene after a deadly wildfire last year. Experts say fixing the problem could cost $300 million and take up to two years. The Sacramento Bee newspaper reports Thursday that experts believe the November fire created a toxic combination of gases in burning homes that got sucked into the water pipes as residents and firefighters drew water heavily.
News >  Nation

PG&E bankruptcy could be costly to wildfire victims

Faced with potentially ruinous lawsuits over California’s recent wildfires, Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday in a move that could lead to higher bills for customers of the nation’s biggest utility and reduce the size of any payouts to fire victims.