Fires erupt on dry, windy Friday

Update:

9:12 p.m.

Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Dept Chief Ryan Fish said all Grand Coulee units were leaving Plum Point.

Multiple fire departments were working the fire in Lincoln County.

The fire began to grow again about 3 p.m. after it had looked like it was about under control until the wind kicked up.

At 5 p.m. three Fireboss planes arrived, and worked for more than half an hour, repeatedly dousing the fire with water from Lake Roosevelt.

By 6:30 p.m. flames were mostly knocked down but wind was still a factor.

After 9 p.m., Fish said Grant County PUD, which serves electric power to the area, would be working there. That would indicate the fire is under control.

At about 9:25, dispatch called out Electric City Volunteer Fire Dept. for an outside fire at Coulee Playland but canceled it moments later.

Original story:

People are being asked to avoid the area where firefighters are battling a blaze in Lincoln County.

"PLEASE AVOID THE AREA OF Plum Point and Sunny Hill Ln N in the Spring Canyon area. Fire crews from Almira, Wilbur, Creston, Lincoln and Grand Coulee are fighting a 1/2 mile fire between structures, haystacks and sage brush," reads a 1:45 p.m. post by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. "Additional resources are en route including 4 engines, 2 dozers, multiple overheads and 2 hand crews. Again, please avoid this area and allow responders to do their jobs. If you are in this area and feel you are in danger please leave immediately."

Local firefighters and more are fighting multiple blazes in the region, with the fire near Plum Point south of Lake Roosevelt about 5 miles east of Grand Coulee, and another near Coulee City, where a Level 2 Evacuation (be ready to leave) notice was issued for the Sunlakes area at about 1:37, but was canceled at 2:02 p.m.

At least three fire trucks, two from Grand Coulee and one BLM, were released from there to head to the Plum Point fire.

The Plum Point fire was initially estimated 60-80 acres at about 1:15 p.m.

Near Coulee City, farmers were reportedly "helping knock things down and saving some structures," one firefighter reported over the radio.