GEORGE — The Washington State Patrol has closed Interstate 90 in Grant County, east of the Columbia River, because of a brush fire.
The Grant County sheriff’s office reports a trailer full of hay has burned on the road next to the interstate. No injuries have been reported, and 200 people are on scene fighting the fire.
The residents of 50 homes have been told to prepare to leave if the fire comes their way. The homes were briefly evacuated Monday afternoon.
On Friday in Southern California, a wind-whipped fire northeast of Los Angeles destroyed 20 vehicles on Interstate 15. There were no serious injuries, but dozens of people had to abandon their cars.
The Washington brush fire started Sunday night and reignited Monday afternoon, closing the interstate near the town of George, Washington.
There was heavy smoke and fire across the freeway, the state patrol said. It was unclear how long it would be closed.
Meanwhile, a new wildfire east of Walla Walla has burned about 350 acres and destroyed one structure, fire officials said.
Cause unknown
The cause of the Blue Creek Fire that started just before 1 p.m. Monday is unknown, Renae Crippen of the Blue Mountain Interagency Fire Center said.
No injuries have been reported, but more structures may be threatened. Crippen said she had not been told what kind of structure had burned and was not aware of any evacuations in the path of the fire.
Fire crews were attacking the blaze from the air with multiple air tankers and helicopters.
Her center in Eastern Washington is getting reports of new brush fires daily, Crippen said.
Another fire briefly closed U.S. Highway 2 in both directions near Monroe late Monday afternoon. Traffic was detoured around the fire while the roadway was blocked for about an hour, the Washington Department of Transportation said.
The brush fire was burning just west of State Route 9 and about 25 miles northeast of Seattle.
