VIDEO: Washington is preparing to install 10 additional artificial intelligence-powered cameras designed to detect wildfire smoke in remote areas before flames have time to spread. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources already operates 26 cameras across the state. The latest expansion, funded through the state Legislature, will bring the network to 36.

The announcement comes as a Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Cascade and Olympic mountains overnight Wednesday into Thursday. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in both the mountains and lowlands. Lightning is the primary concern because dry vegetation and hot temperatures could allow any new fires to spread quickly.

The camera expansion was not prompted by this particular forecast, but DNR says the technology is especially valuable when fires begin in remote terrain. “Lacking detection cameras, we are relying on the public,” said Russ Lane, division manager for DNR’s Wildland Fire Management Division.

Lane said several people may pass a new fire before someone recognizes the smoke, realizes it should not be there and calls 911. “One of the goals of the mountaintops with the Pano AI cameras is to see into areas where there’s not a lot of public activity,” Lane said. “We’ll get that early detection.”

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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State firefighting resources have been mobilized to help contain the growing Plum Point Fire in Lincoln County, where flames are threatening homes and power infrastructure. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the deployment Wednesday evening under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan at the request of Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ryan Fish.

The Plum Point Fire was reported about 5:27 p.m. Wednesday near Grand Coulee. Officials estimate the fire has grown to about 150 acres and is continuing to spread through cheatgrass and sagebrush. The fire is threatening nearby homes and Grant County Public Utility District power lines. No evacuations had been ordered as of Wednesday evening, and the cause remains under investigation.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray has been activated at Level 2, a partial activation, to coordinate the state’s response.

KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

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VIDEO: A water rescue operation on Tuesday evening resulted in one person being safely recovered from the Spokane River and resuscitated by emergency responders, according to the Spokane Fire Department (SFD). Crews were dispatched around 5:43 p.m. to a section of the Spokane River near West Downriver Drive and the Indian Canyon Natural Area.

SFD officials at the scene told NonStop Local that the victim had been swimming and fell unconscious under the water. After the victim was safely removed from the river and brought to land, CPR was administered for approximately 20 minutes until the individual had been revived. Soon afterwards, they were transported to Sacred Heart for further treatment.

KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

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Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuations are in place for a wildfire burning in Boundary County. According to the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), the evacuations are for the 3000 block of Turner Hill Road east to Highway 95, as well as the side roads. BCSO says that all residents on Holmes Road and all side roads need to evacuate as well.

Evacuations have expanded as of 9:55 p.m. Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuations have expanded to the areas of Kings Row, Fleming Creek, Fawn Lane and any side roads for those areas. BCSO says all Boundary County Fire Departments have been deployed for the fire as of 9:55 p.m. Wednesday.

According to BCSO’s Facebook post, the Boundary County Fairgrounds is the recommended “rally point” during this time. It is unknown how big the fire is at this time. It is unknown what the containment levels of the fire are.

KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

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The Columbia River Maritime Museum added the fireboat David Campbell to its outdoor exhibit.

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