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All Level 3 evacuations downgraded for residents near Silver Lake Fire

Officials said only one lane on I-90 is open heading both directions between the Salnave Road and Four Lakes.

FOUR LAKES, Wash. -- Fire crews are responding to a brush fire along I-90 near Cheney Monday, according to Spokane County Fire District 3 officials.

Officials reported at 8:00 p.m. level 3 evacuation orders have been downgraded to level 2, meaning be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Residents east of Granite Lake Road and south of I-90 between Betz Road and Salnave Road are under level 2 evacuation orders. Those just west of Granite Lake Road and south of Murphy Road are under level 1 evacuations, meaning be aware and ready if the situation changes.

Officials from the Washington Department of Natural Resources said the fire was 10 percent contained at 5 p.m. Monday. Wetlands in the area have helped to slow the flames.

Guy Giffords with the DNR said the fire is threatening 100 buildings over all and 50 of those are homes. He said this fire is "all hand on deck" for Spokane County.

Officials said all lanes along I-90 heading in both directions were reopened at 7 p.m. between the Salnave Road and Four Lakes, roughly 13 miles west of Spokane. Officials had all eastbound lanes and one westbound lane closed shortly after the fire was reported Monday afternoon.

As of 2:45 p.m., the fire, dubbed the Silver Lake Fire, were burning roughly 100 acres, according to DNR officials. DNR said via Twitter that the fire is traveling quickly and is burning in timber. Giffords said the fire is moving south to southwest. Officials said the fire did jump the interstate but they were able to quickly put it out.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.

DNR reported 100 firefighters from 11 agencies on the gorund working to contain the flames. Four planes are assisting in the air and are pulling water from Silver Lake.

The Washington State Fire Marshal's Office officials said via Twitter that state mobilization was approved. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered four wildland strike teams.

The The BiMart Arena, located at the Cheney Road grounds, is open for those who have been displaced and need a place to store their animals. The arena is located at 14310 Lt. Michael P. Anderson Memorial Hwy in Cheney. A rodeo is at the arena to help store the animals.

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