Runaway Nakia Creek wildfire in Washington puts 40,000 homes under evacuation warning as record-breaking heat in October sparks fire that has already burned 400 acres
The Nakia Creek wildfire in southeastern Washington broke containment lines late Sunday, as it grew in size to 400 acres
An additional 1,000 homes were placed under evacuation orders on Sunday evening
That brings the total number of homes in the evacuation zone to 35,000 to 40,000 homes as the fire moves to the southwest
Washington officials have issued a mobilization order for all fire departments to join and fight the blaze
Smoke from the man-made fire was seen from Portland, Oregon
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A fast-moving man-made wildfire in Washington state put 40,000 homes into an evacuation zone Sunday night as the blaze grew to 400 acres.
Unusually warm and dry temperatures caused the Nakia Creek Fire in southeastern Washington to breach containment lines late on Sunday, the Clark County Regional Emergency Service reported.
The fire, now officially out of control, has led to a mandatory evacuation zone with 1,000 additional homes near Camas and Washougal, with Clark County Sheriff officers dispatched to each home to ensure residents are evacuated on Sunday. evacuated.
The entire evacuation zone now covers 35,000 to 40,000 homes as the fire continues to the southwest. USA today reports.
Others have not yet been forced to evacuate, but may need to do so soon if the fire continues to spread.
Shelters were quickly set up by the Red Cross at the Camas Church of the Nazarene. It is set up for overnight stays and pets are allowed, but the Red Cross wants people to bring their own kennel and pet supplies.
Schools in the area were also canceled on Monday.
Smoke from the large fire, which broke out on Oct. 9 and was determined to be man-made, could be seen in nearby Portland, Oregon, billowing through the air as firefighters desperately try to fight it.
Smoke from the Nakia Creek Fire, which broke out on Oct. 9 and is believed to be man-made, was seen in nearby Portland, Oregon as it billowed across the sky
Clark County Regional Emergency Services Agency expanded evacuation zone with 1,000 additional homes near Camas and Washougal
Washington state officials have now issued a mobilization order that opened all fire departments to supply resources against the blaze — which contained just 20 percent Sunday afternoon.
Authorities say the fire is difficult to fight as it spreads on extremely steep ground as nearly 100 personnel, supported by water-dripping helicopters, try to fight it.
They announced on Saturday that they were making ‘good progress’, although an air quality advisory will remain in effect until 5pm Monday.
The fire comes as the western United States continues to experience a drought amid unusually high temperatures.
Firefighters are pictured in southwest Washington attempting to fight the blaze after it spreads across 400 acres of hilly land
The evacuation zone now covers 35,000 to 40,000 homes as the fire continues to move southwest
Washington state officials also issued a mobilization order that opened all fire departments to provide resources against the fire
In nearby Vancouver, Washington, temperatures reached 86 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, breaking the previous record of high temperatures set in 1958 by four degrees.
Portland, Oregon reported the same temperature on Sunday, surpassing the daily maximum of 80 in 2020.
Those temperatures are expected to cool down Monday, but warm up again by mid-week.
Meanwhile, windy conditions in recent days have contributed to the spread of the fire.
‘The fire is really dynamic. It’s smoky and it’s mainly spreading to the southwest,” Sharon Steriti of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources told USA Today.
“Hopefully we’ll have a better idea tomorrow when the weather changes, but erratic winds are forecast.”