Fire burning near Airway Heights

Update

6:30 p.m. The fire has not grown for the past hour, as crews have been bulldozing lines around the flames and multiple aircraft have dropped retardant on the head of the fire, DNR spokesman Guy Gifford said. “We’re making good progress,” he said. Gifford confirmed one outbuilding had burned in the blaze. Roads were still blocked into the area by Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies. Gifford said the last round of retardant was dropping and that no more would be requested. A helicopter, fighting the fire by dropping water from the Spokane River, had landed at Spokane Falls Community College at 6 p.m.

Update

5:25 p.m.

The fire has grown to 20+ acres and 50 homes are under mandatory evacuation, according to DNR spokesman Guy Gifford.

Previous coverage

A helicopter and several planes are dumping water and retardant on a brush fire that erupted Tuesday afternoon west of Spokane near Palisades Park. A smoke plume can be seen for miles as firefighters work to contain the flames burning near the intersection of Houston and Grove. Fire official Guy Gifford said the fire is 15 acres and is growing. Homeowners on Grove Road have been told to leave their homes under mandatory evacuation orders. At least 25 structures are threatened, Gifford said.