Seattle Local — 2026-07-05#

Top Story#

A rapidly spreading wildfire in the Chelan Hills exploded to 15,000 acres over the holiday weekend after strong winds picked up Saturday evening. The massive blaze, burning along the Columbia River in Douglas County, has destroyed at least one home and prompted Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders for area residents and holiday travelers.

Local News#

World Cup Fever Peaks as USMNT Prepares for Belgium · FOX 13 Seattle is bracing for massive crowds ahead of Monday’s Round of 16 World Cup match between the United States and Belgium at Seattle Stadium. City officials are advising fans to prepare for street closures and traffic impacts, while the U.S. team received a major boost after FIFA lifted forward Folarin Balogun’s suspension, officially clearing him to play.

Dozens Injured in Independence Day Fireworks Incidents · The Seattle Times First responders across western Washington faced a busy holiday weekend handling multiple firework-related emergencies and residential fires, including a fast-moving house fire in northeast Tacoma. By noon on Saturday, Harborview Medical Center had already treated at least 21 people for fireworks injuries. In a separate incident in Kent, three people were critically injured and transported to a Seattle hospital for treatment.

Deadly Holiday Weekend on Regional Roadways · KOMO News A string of fatal traffic collisions occurred across the region, including a three-vehicle crash at Pacific Raceways in Kent that left one driver dead on Sunday afternoon. In Lakewood, two people died in a fiery, explosive crash after speeding into a power pole at a railroad crossing, and two others were killed when a passenger was flung off an overpass during a motorcycle crash.

Des Moines Shooting and Homicide Investigations · KIRO 7 A woman in her 20s was wounded in a shooting near Midway Park in Des Moines on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, Seattle Police detectives are investigating a fatal shooting in the Lake City neighborhood, and authorities reported that a 26-year-old homicide suspect died in police custody in Olympia over the weekend.

Community & Lifestyle#

Seattle celebrated America’s 250th birthday in grand style, with tens of thousands of spectators gathering at Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park to watch the historic Seafair Fourth of July fireworks show. Earlier in the day, 252 immigrants from over 50 nations were officially sworn in as U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony at Seattle Center. In local healthcare news, Dr. Terrance “Terry” Sweeney is retiring from the Swedish Hospital First Hill Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after a four-decade career where he aided an estimated 200,000 babies. Looking ahead to the week, post-holiday travelers experienced some flight delays at Sea-Tac due to morning clouds, but conditions are clearing for a sunny, sizzling Monday evening for the highly anticipated USMNT soccer match.