Current:Home > Stocks1 killed, thousands under evacuation orders as wildfires tear through Washington state -Secure Growth Solutions
1 killed, thousands under evacuation orders as wildfires tear through Washington state
View
Date:2025-04-27 20:08:10
At least one person was killed and thousands are under mandatory evacuation orders as fast-moving wildfires tear through eastern Washington and "problematic" weather is making it difficult for firefighters to get control of the flames, officials said Saturday.
The so-called Gray Fire burned over 185 structures near Spokane and had burned over 9,500 acres as of Saturday morning, the Washington Department of Natural Resources said. It was 0% contained, the department said in a social media post. It wasn't clear how the fire started, but it sparked around noon Friday and was fueled by wind and dry brush. Officials in Spokane County declared a state of emergency as of noon Saturday in response to the fire.
Level 3 evacuations, also called "Go Now" orders, were issued for the city of Medical Lake, Washington, where about 4,800 people live. Parts of Medical Lake were also without power Saturday, officials said.
"Please do not come to the city of Medical Lake right now," Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told station KREM 2. "This fire is moving very rapidly, and I don't want residents to underestimate how quickly they can find themselves in trouble."
Nowels said deputies were “running from house to house” urging people to leave their homes, NBC News reported.
“We’ve had to rescue people by boat. We’ve had to rescue people by helicopter,” Nowels said.
"Please honor Level 3 (evacuation), not doing so is hindering response," the Department of Natural Resources said.
Another blaze known as the Oregon Road Fire near Elk, Washington, had burned 3,000 acres and destroyed 30 structures by Saturday morning. Over 100 more homes were threatened, the department said.
People were also told to evacuate in nearby Four Lakes and Cheney, including staff and students at Eastern Washington University.
'The next Maui could be anywhere'Hawaii tragedy points to US wildfire vulnerability
"My thoughts are with everyone in Medical Lake, Elk, Winona and the many other communities across Washington impacted by today’s wildfires," Washington Department of Natural Resources Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz said Friday. "We’ve got a long night ahead of us, but please keep yourselves safe, and we’ll focus on bringing these fast-moving fires under control."
Contributing: The Associated Press
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Global hot streak continues. February, winter, world’s oceans all break high temperature marks.
- Oscar Mayer hot dogs, sausages are latest foods as plant-based meat alternatives
- Iditarod musher who shot moose penalized for not properly gutting animal
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Nevada authorities are seeking a retired wrestler and ex-congressional candidate in a hotel killing
- Uvalde City Council to release investigation of the police response to 2022 school massacre
- Lance Bass on aging, fatherhood: 'I need to stop pretending I'm 21'
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- 4 are charged with concealing a corpse, evidence tampering in Long Island body parts case
Ranking
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Top remaining MLB free agents: Blake Snell leads the 13 best players still available
- Lawyer behind effort to remove Fani Willis from Georgia Trump case testifies before state lawmakers
- Millie Bobby Brown Goes Makeup-Free and Wears Pimple Patch During Latest Appearance
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Activists and members of Serbia’s LGBTQ+ community protest reported police harassment
- Teresa Giudice and Luis Ruelas' Marriage Is Under Fire in Explosive RHONJ Season 14 Trailer
- Mississippi House votes to change school funding formula, but plan faces hurdles in the Senate
Recommendation
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Dairy Queen free cone day is coming back in 2024: How to get free ice cream in March
Workers expressed concern over bowed beams, structural issues before Idaho hangar collapse killed 3
Steve Garvey advances in California senate primary: What to know about the former MLB MVP
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
Baltimore man convicted in 2021 ambush shooting of city police officer
Lawyer behind effort to remove Fani Willis from Georgia Trump case testifies before state lawmakers
Funko Pop figures go to the chapel: Immortalize your marriage with these cute toys