SPOKANE, WASHINGTON: The Gray Fire in Washington State has expanded significantly and is reportedly thrice its original size. It has covered 9,500 acres of land, resulting in the destruction of 185 structures and killing one.
Thousands of people are being evacuated from the affected area, in response to the escalating danger. Photos taken on Saturday morning, August 19, showed how dire the situation was while only 10% of the fire has been contained as of now.
Where are the fires in Washington?
The Gray Fire started around midday on Friday, August 18, on the western side of Medical Lake, approximately 15 miles to the west of Spokane. By Saturday morning, the fire had spread to nearly 3,500 acres. No containment efforts has been successful yet.
A few hours after that, it rapidly spread across an area of 4.7 square miles, affecting grass, timber, and wheat. It spread swiftly due to winds reaching speeds of 35mph, as stated by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, per the Daily Mail.
Red flag alert for Washington and Idaho
The mayor of the area issued a stern alert, advising residents to leave immediately as the fire posed an ongoing threat to these communities.
A red-flag warning, signaling critical fire conditions, was put in place around 10 am on Saturday for eastern Washington State and northern Idaho, according to the National Weather Service.
Acknowledging concerns about homes and loved ones, authorities urged everyone to avoid the hazardous wildfire zones.
Earlier, Spokane County Emergency Management had downgraded the threat level to 2, signifying "Be Set!" for the areas near Granite Lake, Tyler, Malloy Prairie, and I-90 south. However, fires continued to rage in other parts of the region.
Joe Smillie from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources informed the New York Times that the massive blaze had already destroyed 185 structures, a number that is anticipated to increase.
How many people have died in the Gray fire in Washington?
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office informed that there has been at least one fatality related to the Gray Fire. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still uncertain.
Emergency shelter set up amid Gray Fire
A temporary emergency shelter has been established at Spokane Falls Community College to provide assistance. Additionally, the Spokane County Fairgrounds are available for individuals needing accommodations for large animals or livestock.
"When people come in and put themselves at risk, we have to shift our focus from clearing areas and making sure it is safe for the firefighters to go in and do their job," said Spokane County Sheriff, John Nowels.
He added, "We then have to shift our focus to addressing people inside those areas."
City of Medical Lake Mayor Terri Cooper warned residents, "All Medical Lake citizens, get out now. We are under Level 3 evacuations. If you need transportation, buses are available at Medical Lake High School baseball field."
"They will take you to Cheney High School (Red Cross Evacuation Shelter). Small animals are ok. If you need help with large animals, please contact 911 and they will assist you. Please stay diligent and safe," she added.
