Fire sweeps Banks Lake west side, burning at Grand Coulee

PUBLIC LANDS — Fire fighters have their hands full in forests and lowlands from blazes started by Saturday night lightning storms and fanned by Sunday’s huge winds.

A Facebook friend in Wenatchee says the orange on the skyline is more than a little frightening.

At least four fires in the Coulee City-Grand Coulee-Almira area are prompting evacuations, with around 8,000 acres burned.

“Huge fires are burning here in Grand Coulee,” reports angler Connie Mcquaid from her home at 10 p.m.

“The switchyard has had explosions — I’ve seen them. The whole west side of Banks Lake looks like it’s on fire. Parts of Grand Coulee west of the canal are being evacuated. The air in town is unbreathable. They sky from my view is all orange.”