Dry lightning storms on July 17 ignited more than 50 fast-moving wildfires across Washington and Oregon, forcing Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations in parts of Washington State. The Kaiser Canyon Fire in Okanogan County has grown rapidly to about 2,200 acres near Nespelem with zero percent containment, prompting evacuation orders for multiple residential zones and closures of State Route 155, Buffalo Lake Road, and Columbia River Road. The American Red Cross opened shelters at Coulee Dam High School Gymnasium and the Omak Long House, directing evacuees toward Omak. In Franklin County, four separate fires near Kahlotus have burned about 6,000 acres.

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News