Wildfires prompt interstate closures

RITZVILLE – The wildfire that destroyed two buildings and prompted the closure of Interstate 90 was fully contained Monday night, July 17.

It was one of two fires effecting travel on Interstate 90 through Adams and Lincoln counties.

The other fire, burning in rural Lincoln County near Fishtrap Lake, was still active at press time.

Pushed by gusty wind, smoke from the blazes prompted the closure of Interstate 90 about 2 miles west of Ritzville and near the Fishtrap exit Monday afternoon.

"Brush fire smoke over road, on I-90 eastbound at Milepost 218," an alert issued by the agency said, announcing the interstate closure near Ritzville. That fire started about 2:26 p.m. and destroyed at least two buildings.

"It's like white-out conditions here because of the smoke," Ritzville resident and businessman Corey Bartlett said.

The highway was closed from Milepost 218-220, but reopened at 4 p.m.

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 crews, however, kept the flames from reaching the city; the fire was contained at about 200 acres, state officials said.

Meanwhile, the other fire was burning about 10 miles northeast of Sprague , near Fishtrap Lake, approaching Interstate 90 and the Spokane County line. That blaze was reported at 1:59 p.m.

State officials shut down interstate travel at 2:44 p.m., but reopened it at 3:48 p.m.

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Roger Harnack, Publisher

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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