One Dead as Growing Wildfire in Eastern Washington Hinders Firefighting Efforts
At least one person has died in eastern Washington state as firefighting efforts are being hindered by “problematic weather” in the area. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources provided an update on Saturday regarding the growing Gray Fire, revealing that the wildfire has burned at least 9,500 acres near Medical Lake, Washington, with 0% containment.
The Gray Fire has caused two medical facilities in the area to shelter in place, while some residents have been asked to evacuate. The Department of Natural Resources reported that the blaze has already damaged “many structures” as of Saturday.
Evacuation orders have been issued for residents living in Medical Lake and the surrounding area south of the city, according to Spokane County Fire District 10. The fire was first reported in the neighborhood of Lakeland Village, southwest of Medical Lake, on Friday afternoon, according to the county fire district.
Authorities have activated aircraft to respond to the fire, as confirmed by the fire district. Additionally, two nearby state-operated medical facilities, Eastern State Hospital and Lakeland Village Residential Habilitation Center, are currently sheltering in place, according to Norah West, assistant director of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
West stated that this is an emerging situation and that they are working to confirm details on the ground. Medical Lake is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Spokane.
This particular wildfire is just one among more than 90 ongoing wildfires across the country as of August 18. These wildfires have already burned over a half million acres in 14 states, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.