SPOKANE, Wash. - A federal public health emergency declaration request made by Washington Governor Bob Ferguson for the wildfires ravaging Eastern Washington was approved by the U.S. Department of Hea

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced that the United States Department of Health and Human Services approved a request to declare a Public Health Emergency following a busy wildfire season in Eastern Washington, including the most recent Spokane Area Fires that continue to burn in Spokane County.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Healthy breathing is top of mind during this busy wildfire season, and on this World NTM Day, advocates are hoping to raise awareness of a serious and not-often-talked-about lung disease.

The fires have consumed thousands of acres, destroyed homes and forced residents to evacuate.

Authorities say about 5,000 homes have been evacuated and about 600 homes, businesses and other buildings have been destroyed by wildfires that remained uncontained Sunday in eastern Washington state.

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown called the wildfires burning through the area the "worst natural disaster our region has faced."

A man charged with starting one of the wildfires in Spokane, Washington, that have destroyed hundreds of buildings planned the crime for weeks and researched when the weather would be best for igniting it,

Eastern Washington is home to a scenic lake near Spokane offering clear water, year-round fishing, camping, boating, and a family-friendly resort.