Spokane, Washington wildfire: Level 3 evacuations ordered, roads closed

A wildfire in Spokane, Washington, had prompted authorities to issue a Level 3 evacuation, which means leave now, for those living near Highway 195. Southbound SR-195 is closed down north of E. Excelsior Road due to the blaze.

Fire crews responded to the scene Wednesday and were trying to contain the blaze that has been burning grass and trees along the highway. Air resources are on the scene to stop the wildfire.

The evacuations impacted people living between Excelsior on the south, Degray on the west, Hangman Creek on the east and Mullen Hill where it meets 195 on the north.

Also Read | Lind wildfire: Entire town ordered to evacuate after blaze burns 2,000 acres

Level 2 evacuations, which means meaning get set to leave, were ordered for people living within a quarter mile of the highway and Excelsior to the south.

Authorities urged people to leave their homes along with their pets and livestock. The exact stretch of area that had been engulfed in the wildfire remained unknown. No injuries or property damage have been reported so far.

Highway 195 was fully blocked in the area and Hatch Rd and White Road also remained closed. Officials asked people to take the Cedar route amid road closures. 

A tweet by Washington State Patrol District (WSP) 4 said that the fire is rapidly moving. WSP and the Spokane County Fire District 8 asked drivers to avoid the area if possible.

Earlier this month, at least two structures were burned in a fire southwest of Spokane. Authorities told people in dozens of homes to evacuate due to the blaze.

Also Read | St Louis, Missouri flash floods: Emergency issued as city records historic rainfall

The state Department of Natural Resources said that the Williams Lake Fire had grown to 5 square miles.

Multiple agencies from Spokane, Lincoln and Whitman counties responded to the scene. Williams Lake is about 32 miles south of Spokane.