Fires torch through brush, timber Monday near Spokane
A wildfire near Cheney burned between 150 to 300 acres in windy conditions Monday afternoon and forced evacuations for nearby residents.
Fire officials with Spokane County Fire District 3 notified residents in surrounding areas to evacuate.
The order affected about 80 structures.
The Level 3 “get out” evacuation urges residents who live between Scottie Dog Lane, Pine Meadow Lane and Hanson Pond Lane to leave immediately.
Fire officials are calling the blaze the Pine Meadows Fire.
Muckamuck Fire
A fire that started near Conconully in Okanogan County continued growing at 10,800 acres and prompted “go now” evacuation orders for residents, according to a news release from the Washington State Patrol and FPB Emergency Operations Center.
It got right to the edge of town, but firefighters kept flames out, said Conconully Mayor Sam Martin.
“Everybody is used to it,” Martin said. “We just move on.”
About half of the town’s 210 residents evacuated. Martin was among those who stayed.
State resources went to Conconully to help battle the fire, and the town still stood as of Monday morning, according to a post from the Town of Conconully Facebook page. Structures lost included a chicken coop and one empty cabin north of town, the post read.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized funds for up to 75% of the eligible firefighting costs Monday, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Eligible costs could include spending for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization; tools; materials; and supplies, the release said.
FEMA also approved another $779,000 for Washington through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for cleanup and to prevent other damages caused by the fire, according to the news release.
Summit Trail/Upper Lime Creek
Crews made progress on fires burning next to each other on the Colville Indian Reservation, though evacuation orders remained in place Monday.
The Summit Trail Fire, which started July 12, was estimated at 29,205 acres Monday.
Level 1 evacuation orders, warning residents to be aware of potential danger in the area, were in place from Lafleur south on Hall Creek Road to Hall Creek Flat, including Lynx Creek Road.
These Level 1 orders were also in place for Seyler Valley Road south to Bridge Creek Road, including Bridge Creek Road, Mollenberg Lane and Twin Lakes.
The Upper Lime Creek fire burning north of Keller held at more than 570 acres Monday , with Level 1 evacuation orders from Empire Creek to The Pines.
Road closures in the area included Sitdown Creek Road at County Highway 99.
The Colville Indian Agency also shut down all forest roads to the public.
Character Fire Complex
The fire burning north of Kellogg, Idaho, grew to 8,300 acres Monday. The complex was originally comprised of the Deceitful and Prichard fires.
Monday’s windy conditions led to Level 3 “get out” evacuation orders for several communities, including Avery Creek, White Tail, Prichard, Eagle and Murray.
It also led to Avista depowering its lines in the area to prevent dangerous conditions to firefighting crews on the ground.
The fire spread and spotted and was moving toward Beaver Creek, Eagle Creek and Murray.
Fire managers closed several roads.