"Horrifying footage of families fleeing as wildfires sweep southwest Spokane – you'll believe the devastation!"

 A wind-driven wildfire forced the evacuation of dozens of homes southwest of Spokane on Tuesday afternoon.

Image : Google.com/images.app.goo.gl/KVuXrpmXbGEH1TpL8

Spokane County Fire District 3 reported that a large pile of fire near the 7800 block of South Grove Road had spread into surrounding brush.

It was half an acre at 2:10 p.m. and spread to wood, according to the fire district. 

At 4 p.m. it is about 85 acres with 100 homes threatened, said Jesse Lewis of the Department of Natural Resources.

Large plumes of smoke were visible from downtown Spokane as the fire spread.

A bulldozer, helicopter and more than 100 firefighters were among the resources used to battle the fire, said Thomas Kyle-Milward, of the Department of Natural Resources.

Three water-dropping planes helped put out the fire in the afternoon.The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning.

Residents in the roughly 5500 blocks of South Abbott, South Assembly and South Dorset streets to Cheney-Spokane Road between Abbott and Dorset avenues were given a level three evacuation order – meaning they must leave immediately.

Including Laurie Heard, who has lived in Maxs Lane for 25 years. He was “peacefully” playing his piano Tuesday afternoon when he looked out the window and saw smoke. Heard ran outside, only to find parts of the house on fire in her yard.

“I came out with my shovel,” he said. “I could see within minutes my shovel would yield nothing.” Heard said the family's fifth-wheel trailer was lost in the fire, along with a store building. When firefighters told him to leave, he knew he would be leaving his precious chickens behind.

But his nephew, Justin Dodge, ran back to the house to find firefighters opening the chicken coop and rescuing 6 of the birds — including a dominant hen named Angela, who was Heard's “angel” chicken — because they had remained on the property to protect the house. 

“I personally thank every firefighter,” Dodge said.The City of Spokane reopened northbound lanes of Cheney-Spokane Road closed due to construction to allow for quicker evacuations.

Robin King, who lives nearby, had a bag filled with wills, tax forms and other important documents ready to go if needed. 

He said he was impressed with the response to the fire. “My safety and that of our house depend on the wind,” he said.Daniel Butler, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said the region had steady southwest winds in the 20 to 30 mph range for most of Tuesday.

with gusts reaching 45 mph. These conditions are expected to last until evening, with extreme wind gusts reaching a peak of around 40 km/h at midnight.The American Red Cross will open the El Katif Shriners Center in Spokane at 7217 W. Westbow Blvd. as an evacuation center at 6 p.m.

The assistance available is in the form of food, cribs and other necessities. Residents using shelters must bring their own medications, extra clothing, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items.

Dry conditions in the Inland Northwest, with local humidity around 21% Tuesday night, only added to the increased fire risk. The region will have to wait until the weekend to get a chance of rain, and may not see a 20% chance of rain on Saturday, Butler said.

“It doesn't look very good,” Butler said, adding that conditions are ripe for rapid fire growth, especially in grassy areas.

Location:

Share :