Sit Rep 5: Sunday, August 20, 2023, 1100 PT

Incident Summary

The GRAY FIRE is burning about three miles southwest of Medical Lake (Spokane County) in Washington State (USA) which ignited from an unknown cause on August 18, 2023, at 1227 hours PT.

Fire Command is under the direction of the Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team (NE WA IMT).

Fire behavior has been observed as extreme with wind-driven runs, short crown runs, and long-range spotting. Several communities, roadways, railroad, and power line infrastructure is under direct threat.

About 185+ structures have been lost, along with one death related to the wildfires.

Check out the following Incident Cooperators Updates for information related to “official” agencies and the time the info was released.

Incident Cooperators Updates

There are at least a total of 319 Fire personnel on the scene along with four crews, and 35 engines.

NE WA IMT (Fire Command)

The fire has burned 10,014 acres and there is a 0% containment status. Fire is located in the Medical Lake, Four Lakes, Silver Lake, and surrounding areas. Structures, urban infrastructure, and timberland are at risk. There is a 10% containment status. And there are about 400 total personnel on the wildfire. Evacuations (Levels 2 and 3) are still in effect. I-90 still remains closed. (0800 PT)

WA DNR

Spread was pretty moderate and mostly to the southwest. Does not appear there will be more fire growth toward Medical Lake or Four Lakes. Still a lot of hazards within the burned areas. Natural gas lines venting off, trees coming down, etc. (0618 PT).

Spokane County declaring a state of emergency as of noon. Please honor Level 3 evac, not doing so is hindering response. Power is still out in parts of Medical Lake. 185+ structures lost. (8/19/2023 1019 PT)

Spokane County

Evacuation maps can be found here –> http://facebook.com/GEGEmergencyMgt

WSDOT

Gray Fire is active along I-90, and other routes west of Spokane. Still closed due to trees falling over the highway making driving conditions unsafe. No changes to any closed routes. The fire continues to burn alongside the road and for safety concerns, I-90, SR902 & part 904 remain CLOSED. Photo Credit: Incident Response Team (0949 PT)

NW Clean Air Agency

Make sure you take the steps you need to protect yourself & others when wildfire smoke is in the air! Check this handy graphic & NWCAA’s Wildfire Smoke Information page (https://bit.ly/2XolMTN) for resources & advice! (8/19/2023 1740 PT)

NWS Spokane

Current air quality is the worst in the US, and perhaps the whole world right now. Current readings are showing 400-500 with some above 500. Photo Credit. (0837 PT)

City of Spokane

A temporary, short-term drop-in safer air center and other indoor options are being offered due to heavy smoke. The safer air center will operate 24hrs a day beginning today and whenever the AQI remains 201 or above, according to @SpokaneCleanAir. Details: Check out the website: https://my.spokanecity.org/news/releases/2023/08/19/safer-air-center-activated-due-to-poor-air-quality/

Spokane County Fire District #8

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office

WA Emergency Management (State Level)

Our State Emergency Operations Center is activated at Level 1- full activation in response to the wildfires burning across the state. Multiple state agencies are working in collaboration with folks on the ground to ensure we effectively respond to and help people recover. (0921 PT)

For those who HAVE to be outside in hazardous air today (workers, etc…),

@WADeptHealth recommends wearing an N95 or other NIOSH-approved respirator. Tips: doh.wa.gov (1023 PT)

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

ALERT: Mt. Spokane and Crawford state parks are temporarily closed due to wildfire activity. Be aware that the wildfire situation is volatile, and changes can happen quickly. For safety’s sake, please avoid wildfire areas. (1022 PT)

WSP – District 4 PIO Sgt. Greg Riddell

Traffic / Fire Alert I-90 Eastbound at MP260 to Westbound MP274 closed due to a fire detour in place. We reposted this due to the incredible smoke column taken in this photo on August 18, 2023. Photo (Left) Credit: WSP (Posted on 8/18/2023 at 1425 PT)

Cost-to-Date

The Cost-to-Date for fire suppression and containment efforts have reached a whopping $500,000 and growing on a daily basis.

How to Help Survivors

The Salvation Army: https://twitter.com/SalvationArmyNW

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