Three fires ravage Eastern Washington
By Terry Murry on Saturday, August 19th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
Eastern Washington – Three fires are burning in Eastern Washington prompting evacuations. Air quality is impacted throughout Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. The state has sent crews to help the local firefighters as they work to contain the wildfires. Containment on each of the three fires is at zero percent.
Gray Fire: At last report, the fire which began Friday afternoon near Medical Lake has grown to 9,500 acres. First responders report one person was killed, but stated it is not clear if the fire actually caused the death. It’s estimated that 185 buildings have been destroyed.
Evacuation orders were broadened after the fire grew rapidly overnight. Level 3 (Go now) evacuations include the city of Medical Lake, the southern portion of Clear Lake, the town of Four Lakes. An emergency shelter is operating at Spokane Falls Community College. Large animals and livestock are sheltered at the Spokane County Fairgrounds.
Interstate 90 remains closed in both directions from milepost 257 at Tyler to milepost 277.7 at State Route 2 due to fire on both sides of the roadway. The closure will remain in effect indefinitely according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Oregon Fire (also called Oregon Road Fire): In northern Spokane County, the Oregon Road fire destroyed 30 buildings overnight near Elk and has consumed at least 30 buildings. Another 150 are considered threatened.
Strong winds have posed a problem for firefighters. A Level 3 (Go now) evacuation order is in effect for a wide area. The Spokane County Fairgrounds is also taking large animals and livestock from the area.
Winona Fire: This wildfire is located 21 miles northwest of Colfax in Whitman County. There are 100 residences threatened. One home has been damaged and one has been destroyed. The fire is put at 5,000 acres at last report.
There are 15 nonresidential commercial properties threatened with five damaged and five destroyed. Seventy-five minor structures are threatened with five destroyed according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. Level 3 (Go now) evacuation orders have been issued for the entire town of Winona. A shelter is open at St. John And Endicott Elementary and Middle School in Endicott.
EMG file photo of a wildfire
