Environment

People near central Washington wildfire told to leave homes

KNKX Public Radio | By The Associated Press

Published June 28, 2022 at 4:57 PM PDT

State transportation officials said State Route 28 was closed just east of the junction with State Route 17 near Soap Lake, because of fire on both sides of the road.

Updated: June 29, 2022 at 3:03 PM PDT

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuations east of Soap Lake, Washington, that had been in effect Tuesday because of a wildfire.

Sheriff’s officials said the 50 homes threatened by the fire which started around 11 a.m. were no longer at risk as of Tuesday night.

Officials also said two firefighters suffered minor injuries when a water tender truck rolled off the road Tuesday. Officials said early indication is that the vehicle drove onto the soft shoulder and rolled three-quarters of a roll down a steep embankment.

KREM-TV reports fire officials are urging people to be extremely careful with any fireworks this weekend. Fireworks are illegal in Seattle, unincorporated King County and most other Puget Sound cities.

SOAP LAKE, Wash. (AP) — People in about three dozen homes near a wildfire in central Washington have been told by law enforcement to leave their homes immediately.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office said at about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday that people living on certain streets east of Soap Lake should leave their homes without delay because of a wildfire.

The Sheriff’s Office said 37 homes are threatened, KXLY reported.

State transportation officials said State Route 28 was closed just east of the junction with State Route 17 near Soap Lake, because of fire on both sides of the road. Officials said there was no detour available and no estimated time for reopening.

Two separate power outages were also reported because of the fire, impacting about 100 customers in Soap Lake and 300 customers in Winchester, according to the Grant County Public Utility District.

It wasn't immediately known when the fire started or its cause.