Drought and heat: Washington’s drought emergency is deepening as the state heads into another stretch of unusually warm conditions, with experts warning the last five warmest years on record are compounding water stress and wildfire risk. Wildfire response: A new Transfer Fire near Lake Chelan triggered Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations and road closures as crews worked to stop forward spread amid dry grass and wind. Climate impacts on glaciers: Washington’s Big Four Ice Caves are at risk of melting away for the first time in memory, a sign of how hotter, drier seasons are reshaping local mountain ice. Wildlife conservation: Washington Fish and Wildlife and Woodland Park Zoo released 37 young western pond turtles to a protected site, continuing decades of recovery work to help the endangered species survive invasive bullfrogs. Native-led nature tourism: A Seattle-based Native-led whale watching tour is rolling out as part of “First Stories of the Salish Sea,” aiming to connect visitors with Indigenous knowledge of local waters and wildlife. Hanford cleanup: DOE officials are advancing a “dual path” Hanford cleanup approach, routing some tank waste around the slower vitrification process to speed progress. Public health outdoors: Tick bites are surging nationally, and WSU researchers say ticks are expanding into areas that used to be too cold, raising the risk of tick-borne diseases.