Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Smoke creates "whiteout" conditions, prompting I-90 closures
RITZVILLE – Smoke from multiple wildfires is creating near-whiteout conditions along portions of Interstate 90, prompting the state Department to of Transportation to close the highway.
Fires erupted earlier this afternoon at multiple locations along the highway.
"Brush fire smoke over road, on I-90 eastbound at Milepost 218," an alert issued by the agency said, announcing the interstate closure.
The fire started about 2:26 p.m., the state reported.
"It's like white-out conditions here because of the smoke," Ritzville resident and businessman Corey Bartlett said.
Gusting winds were also pushing heavy smoke onto roadways.
Transportation officials closed the interstate between Mileposts 218-220. At 4 p.m., they reopened one lane of traffic flow in each direction.
High winds were also driving flames through sage and dry grass just west of the city, blackening the area along Gun Club Road.
"This fire is growing," Bartlett said.
Fire evacuation warnings were issued for the area west of the 500 block of Main Avenue in Ritzville, he said.
In Washington, evacuation is voluntary. Evacuations notices come as:
Level 1 – Be alert; fire is in the area
Level 2 – A fire is growing and residents who may want to evacuate should be ready to leave
Level 3 – Fire is imminent and those choosing to evacuate should leave
Meanwhile, another fire was burning about 10 miles northeast of Sprague , near Fishtrap Lake in Spokane County.
That blaze was reported at 1:59 p.m.
State officials shut down interstate travel at 2:44 p.m.
"Consider other routes," Transportation officials advised.
The interstate reopened near Sprague at 3:48 p.m.
The area remains under a Red Flag Warning — meaning weather conditions could lead to wildfire growth — until 11 p.m.
Roger Harnack is co-owner and publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.
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