Crown Jewel

In Washington state the U.S. Department of Defense has agreed to assign 200 active-duty soldiers to help fight a wildfire.

Civilian firefighting commanders said Tuesday the soldiers from Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, would undergo four days of training and then be sent to a complex of 14 wildfires in the Umpqua National Forest that have burned 47 square miles (120 square kilometers).

And a wildfire burning near Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state grew to more than 29 square miles (75 square kilometers) and heavy smoke blanketed many cities in Washington state.

Mandatory evacuations were announced for the fire near Mount Rainier, including the Crystal Mountain ski resort, which closed Monday because of smoke.

The air quality in Spokane, Washington, was rated as hazardous Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service says it was likely to get worse as wind shifts bring in smoke from fires in Canada, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

People in the Spokane, Washington, region were advised to stay remain indoors.

Air quality alerts were issued for parts of Idaho as well.

In Oregon, people living in about 700 homes in and around the Columbia River Gorge have been forced to evacuate the area. Others have been warned to get ready as flames burn trees and brush in one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions.

“The Gorge is our crown jewel and it’s our playground — and we’re very, very sad,” said Multnomah County Board of Supervisors chairwoman Deborah Kafoury.

Our deepest gratitude to all the amazing firefighters that have worked relentlessly to save the lodge and keep the area around the waterfall green. We've had the pleasure of preparing some meals for them and they are some of the greatest, kindest people anyone could ask for! We will be closed for awhile as the fire still burns and all the crews keep working to contain the fire and clear the roads for safe travel. We will update from time to time on the progress. Thanks for all the many thoughts and prayers we have received from everyone!