Just like hurricanes, fires have names. They are called ‘Stickpin’ or ‘ Windy Ridge’ or ’Tunk Block’. Behind those labels are hundreds of firefighters, thousands of hours of labor and millions of public dollars.

And by the time this paper is delivered to your mail box, there will probably be even more.

As of Monday, Aug. 24, there were 16 major active wild fires across our state, consuming over 600,000 total acres. In Okanogan County alone, fires have burned 370,000 acres, setting an (unfortunate) new state record.

Worst of all, three firefighters have lost their lives.

It is difficult to ignore what is happening in our state no matter where you live. The smoke and haze has moved west over the past several days. In June, the usually damp Olympic National Park caught fire. That fire remains active today.

A large portion of the state was in a air quality advisory situation last week — unhealthy and hazardous for many. Many are suffering from shock and sorrow.

So, how to help. Fire relief agencies need your cash. There are several ways to give including the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Closer to the need is the Okanogan County Community Action Council at www.occac.com; or the Community Foundation of North Central Washington at www.cfncw.org.

Over here in Western Washington, it is also dry — one of the driest summers on record. Driving east last week there were ominous signs of fire. There were more than a few patches of black along Interstate 90 between Issaquah to Ellensburg.

Something had ignited the grass next to the highway shoulder or in the median. Were they begun by a spark from a truck, lightning — or a cigarette?

It is too upsetting to guess.