Several new wildfires are burning in Washington after lightning storms swept through the state Wednesday night, according to authorities, with the largest near Snoqualmie Pass and another spurring an evacuation in Nespelem.
Some fires are burning in remote, steep and rocky terrain, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The largest wildfire, the Three Queens fire, is burning 1 1/2 miles away from Kachess Lake, between Three Queens and Hibox Mountain, according to Snoqualmie Pass Fire and Rescue. The fire was discovered Thursday around 4:30 a.m. and is believed to be naturally caused, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, and the U.S. Forest Service is employing ground and aerial units.
A Level 3 evacuation was ordered for School Loop Road and all of Agency Campus in Nespelem, according to a Colville Tribal Broadcasts post on Facebook. People in that area were told to evacuate north on state route 155, toward Omak.
Red Cross shelters were established at Omak Long House, 25 Mission Road and at the Coulee Dam High School gym, 503 Crest Drive.
The Neff Jones fire, which started Thursday morning around 3:40 a.m., is estimated to be a little over 2 square miles and is growing. The fire in Franklin County, near the city of Kahlotus, is threatening homes, crops and a Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife Hatchery. Level two evacuations are in effect, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to State Patrol.
The Devils Canyon and Wallace Walker fires started around 2 p.m. Thursday and are also estimated to be roughly 2 square miles. The Wallace Walker fire has spurred level two evacuations, and the causes of each blaze are still under investigation, according to State Patrol.
The Little Giant fire, just off Chiwawa River in Chelan County, is in approximately five acres of relatively flat terrain that is steep to access. U.S. Forest Service reports crews are on-site.
The Domke fire, 1 1/2 miles away from Lucerne, Chelan County, is being battled by smokejumpers and has grown to a tenth of an acre, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The Methow Valley Ranger District has also reported three lightning fires, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The agency anticipates new smoke reports in the coming days and has requested an aerial observation flight.
Any new fire starts should be reported to 911.
