ASOTIN COUNTY, Wash. — A 27,929-acre complex fire is threating homes and rangeland near Clarkston in Asotin County. The Asotin Complex is made up of two fires: the Dry Gulch fire which has been burning in the Dry Gulch area west of Asotin Creek Road and the Silcott fire started in the area of Silcott Grade Road west of the city of Clarkston.
As of Friday, the Silcott Fire is 10% contained.
The complex fire started at 6:35 a.m. Wednesday and is burning in vegetation. Officials said the fire is continuing to grow.
According to a Facebook post by the Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team, Level 3 evacuations are in place for residences on Asotin Creek Road west of the Cloverland fork. Level 2 evacuations are in place for Cloverland Road and streets off of Cloverland Road as well as the Harlow Ridge area. The areas south of Peola Road and Critchfield Road south to Asotin Creek in Clarkston Heights. Three hundred structures are threatened by the flames.
One property six multiple outbuildings and fire officials said they are not aware of any primary residences being lost. Officials said 450 structures are threatened.
Shelters for evacuees are available through the Red Cross at Lincoln Middle School in Clarkston. Livestock and large animals can be evacuated to the Livestock Market at 3200 East Main Street in Lewiston, Idaho.
Asotin Creek Road north of the Cloverland fork is closed.
State fire assistance has been mobilized to support local firefighters working on the Asotin Complex Fire, according to a press release from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Air resources are working to put the fire out. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both on their way to the scene and working remotely to coordinate the dispatch of resources.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.