News

Evacuations in Rimrock for Douglas County Fire Complex

 

QUICK FACTS:

  • #DouglasCounty fire reaches around 20,000 acres in size Sunday
  • Shelter set up for evacuees at Ephrata High School
  • Around 300 structures affected
  • Residents could return to their homes Sunday afternoon

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wash. — -----------------------------------------------------------

Mandatory evacuations were in place for homes in the Rimrock Meadow community in Douglas County on Saturday.

On Sunday afternoon, the evacuation levels were changed from 3 to 1, meaning residents could return to their homes, but were advised to remain alert.

The Douglas County Fire Complex started Friday.

Red Cross opened a shelter at Ephrata High School for Rimrock fire evacuees.

As of Sunday morning, the fire had reached approximately 20,000 acres in size.

There were no reports of lost structures or injuries on Sunday.

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Two fires that started Friday in Douglas County have grown to burn over 16,000 acres.

Homes were threatened as of Saturday morning, and Level 1 evacuations were in place.

Skyway fire officials were among those deployed to assist.

https://twitter.com/SkywayFire/status/619976255350308864

19 evacuation notices had been posted by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized mobilization of state firefighting resources, at the request of Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 8.

https://twitter.com/KIRO7Seattle/status/619973066236534784

Douglas County Sheriff Gjesdal said the fires started from lightning strikes.

https://twitter.com/nwfireblog/status/619967916167925761

Around 7,000 acres of pasture and wheat have burned at the Jameson Lake Fire.

Approximately 9,000 acres of mainly sage and brush have burned at the Palisades Fire.

Stay with KIRO 7 for the latest information on these fires.

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