Residents near Moses Lake still under evacuation orders; fire has slowed

A quick moving fire prompted the evacuation of about two dozen homes north of Moses Lake Tuesday afternoon.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office sent out an immediate evacuation alert for residents living north/northeast of Road 10 Northeast and Road H Northeast just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The residents in that area had previously been put on a level two alert, which means to prepare for evacuation.

The large wildfire is burning west of State Route 17 near mile post 60 and started on the east side of the highway around 3 p.m. It jumped the highway and is burning in heavy sagebrush and grass and was initially being pushed north-northeast by winds of nearly 25 mph, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The highway is closed between Moses Lake and Ephrata and Road 10 Northeast is also closed.

No size estimate is available, but the fire has spread about 2.5 miles from the point of origin, the Sheriff’s Office said.

In an update just before 7:30 p.m. Tuesday the Sheriff’s Office said the fire is no longer “running” and that state fire resources are on their way to help battle the fire. Several structures have been lost but no details are available, the Sheriff’s Office said.

A shelter for livestock is available at the Grant County Fairgrounds and companion animals such as dogs and cats can be brought to Grant County Animal Outreach.

A shelter for the residents has been set up at the Grant County International Airport terminal. The airport restaurant will remain open extended hours.

The Sheriff’s Office said donations of water and other supplies are not needed. Anyone who would like to help is asked to make a cash donation to the Red Cross, which will be assisting the families displaced by the fire.