Photo credit: (X)
A fast-moving wildfire north of Airway Heights, Washington grew to 500 acres on Saturday afternoon. Spokane County Emergency Management expanded Level 3 evacuation orders multiple times as the fire pushed outward. Residents in affected zones must leave immediately due to life-threatening conditions.
How the fire grew through the afternoon
The fire stood at roughly 50 acres around 12:30 PM. Within 20 minutes, it jumped to 100 acres. By 2:08 PM, WildCAD updated the estimate to 500 acres. Dry terrain and extreme fire weather across Eastern Washington fueled the rapid growth. Local, state and federal agencies had already issued advisories across the region before the fire broke out, citing dangerous conditions that had sparked multiple blazes statewide.
Where evacuations stand now
Initial Level 3 orders covered residents between Newkirk Road and Trails Road, and Westwood Lane and Dowdy Road, northeast of Airway Heights. At 1:58 PM, Spokane County expanded those orders to the north, east and west. The updated boundaries run from Marchand Road to Trails Road on the south side and from Lyons Road to Assembly Street. Riverside State Park falls within the expanded zone.
Spokane County also asked residents to avoid North 291 Francis Avenue except as an evacuation route. Additionally, anyone in the evacuation zone with animals can bring them to the Spokane County Fairgrounds.
View this post on Instagram
What residents should do now
Anyone within the Level 3 zones should leave right away. Conditions in the area are life-threatening. The fire remains active, and further updates from Spokane County Emergency Management are expected as crews work to bring it under control.
SOURCE: khq
About the Author
