Fueled by strong 35 mph winds, the Gray Fire rapidly expanded from an initial estimate of 500 acres to nearly 3,000 acres in just a few hours on Friday afternoon, as reported by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources via tweets. By 5 p.m., it had already caused damage within the city limits. Medical Lake, a community of approximately 5,000 residents, is situated approximately 12 miles southwest of Spokane.

Joe Smillie, a spokesperson for the department, stated, “We are aware that some homes have been affected by the fire, although the exact number remains unknown. This wildfire escalated significantly and swiftly. The recent hot weather has contributed to the intensity.”

The fire managed to jump Interstate 90 after 5 p.m., leading to the closure of sections of the highway in both directions. Consequently, authorities initiated evacuations in Four Lakes, a small town with around 500 residents. Another main road, State Route 902, was also temporarily closed in the vicinity of Medical Lake.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels reported that as of Friday afternoon, his office had no information regarding injuries or fatalities in Medical Lake. Deputies were actively going door to door, encouraging residents within the evacuation area to leave their homes.

Sheriff Nowels noted that the fire remains “zero percent” contained and is encroaching on more densely populated areas, including neighborhoods and a school. Over 100 law enforcement officers have been deployed in response to the fires.

“We’ve conducted boat and helicopter rescues,” Nowels said. “If you’re in an evacuation zone, please evacuate. Some individuals have declined to leave, only to later require rescue when the fire approached their location.”

On Friday afternoon, twenty members of the Washington Air National Guard assisted in evacuating patients and staff from Eastern State Hospital, a 367-bed psychiatric hospital.

Smillie confirmed that the cause of the fire was still undetermined. In the afternoon, the department was advising people to seek shelter at a high school in neighboring Cheney. By Friday evening, Cheney was placed under level-one evacuation notice, indicating that residents should be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Smillie stated that officials were developing evacuation plans in case the fire continued to advance toward Cheney.

In separate incidents on Friday afternoon, two other fires ignited in different parts of Washington state, specifically in Douglas and Whitman counties. Both fires had consumed approximately 5,000 acres by around 5 p.m., according to Smillie.

The National Weather Service had issued a red flag warning for much of inland Washington state on Friday, cautioning of warm, dry winds continuing through the afternoon, which created critical fire conditions.”

summary

In a rapid and unprecedented escalation of events, the town of Medical Lake, Washington, finds itself in the midst of a dire wildfire crisis. Fueled by relentless 35 mph winds, the Gray Fire, initially estimated at 500 acres, has exploded into an uncontrollable force, consuming nearly 3,000 acres in just a few harrowing hours on a fateful Friday afternoon.

As reported by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources via social media, this inferno has left devastation in its wake, scorching property within the city limits of Medical Lake, a close-knit community that is home to approximately 5,000 residents. Situated about 12 miles southwest of Spokane, Medical Lake now faces an existential threat.

Joe Smillie, a spokesperson for the department, grimly acknowledges the losses: “We are aware that some homes have been affected by the fire, although the exact number remains unknown. This wildfire escalated significantly and swiftly. The recent hot weather has contributed to the intensity, creating a perfect storm of conditions.”

The situation took an even more perilous turn when the fire jumped Interstate 90 after 5 p.m., leading to the closure of sections of this vital highway in both directions. In response, authorities initiated urgent evacuations in Four Lakes, a small community of approximately 500 residents. State Route 902, another key artery near Medical Lake, was also temporarily shut down due to the encroaching danger.

Despite the ferocity of the Gray Fire, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels reported that, as of Friday afternoon, there were no reported injuries or fatalities in Medical Lake. Deputies were on the ground, tirelessly going door to door, urging residents within the evacuation area to evacuate promptly.

Yet, the wildfire remains a relentless adversary, stubbornly uncontained and advancing into more densely populated areas, including neighborhoods and a school. Responding to this dire emergency, over 100 law enforcement officers have been deployed, working tirelessly to safeguard lives and property.

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