Multiple wildfires burning in eastern Washington have prompted authorities to issue Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders as crews battle rapidly spreading flames amid extreme fire weather conditions.
In Mead, north of Spokane, the Fairview Fire has grown to about 50 acres, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Spokane County Emergency Management has ordered people living in or near the area between the North Spokane Corridor northbound freeway, Lindgren Road and East Peone Road to evacuate immediately.
A Red Cross evacuation shelter has been opened at Spokane Falls Community College, while an animal shelter has been established at the Spokane County Fairgrounds for residents evacuating with pets and livestock.
Elsewhere, evacuation orders have expanded because of the larger Old Trails Fire, which authorities said has grown to about 1,300 acres.
Level 3 evacuations now cover the area bounded by Strong Road to the north, Francis Avenue to the south, the Spokane River to the west and Five Mile Road to the east.
Spokane County Emergency Management said the evacuation zone was further expanded on Saturday afternoon to include areas between Marchand Road and Trails Road, and from Lyons Road to Assembly Street. Riverside State Park is also included within the evacuation area.
Residents have been urged to avoid using North 291 Francis Avenue except as an evacuation route.
Near Airway Heights, another wildfire prompted Level 3 evacuation orders for residents between Newkirk Road and Trails Road, and Westwood Lane and Dowdy Road.
WildCAD estimated that fire had grown rapidly, increasing from about 50 acres to 100 acres within around 20 minutes before later reaching an estimated 500 acres.
Authorities warned that eastern Washington is experiencing extreme fire weather, with local, state and federal agencies responding to multiple active fires across the region.
No injuries have been reported, and the causes of the fires remain under investigation.