Washington State authorities have declared a state of emergency in Spokane County due to a series of devastating wildfires, prompting thousands of residents to flee their homes. The Gray Fire, which ignited on Friday afternoon, has tragically claimed one life, according to reports from Fox Weather. Rapidly expanding from 200 acres to a staggering 3,000 acres by Friday evening, the blaze is situated near Medical Lake, north of Spokane. As of Saturday afternoon, the fire remains uncontained, wreaking havoc across an estimated 9,500 acres.
In the aftermath of the inferno, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) conveyed that power outages persist in parts of Medical Lake, with the conflagration decimating at least 185 structures. Urging compliance with evacuation orders, the WADNR emphasized the importance of adhering to Level 3 evacuations, denoting an imminent danger that necessitates immediate evacuation. Conversely, Level 2 signals preparedness to evacuate, while the residents of Four Lakes and Medical Lake have been urged by Spokane County Fire District 10 to evacuate promptly. Portions of Interstate 90 (I-90) have been closed, specifically the stretch between the Four Lakes Interchange and Salnave Road, according to FOX 13.
Weather conditions remain detrimental to firefighting endeavors, as the WA DNR disclosed that dry weather and soaring temperatures are thwarting containment efforts. The fire’s ferocity is fueled by its consumption of dry grass, timber, and wheat in its path.
Amid the crisis, the Red Cross has established an evacuation site at Spokane Falls Community College, extending aid to displaced individuals. Additionally, sizeable animals are being accommodated at the Spokane Fairgrounds to ensure their safety during these trying times.