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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Wind storm brings down power lines, blows in dust

By Mike Prager and Nina Culver The Spokesman-Review
Blowing dust cut visibility and brought down power lines late this morning while authorities cautioned the public to stay off area highways until the wind settles down this evening. Firefighters were trying to stop a fast-moving fire north of Coeur d’Alene in the vicinity of Brunner Road and Ramsey Road. Residents in the area have been urged to evacuate. The National Weather Service has rescinded a dust storm warning in the Spokane area but it remains in effect in the Columbia Basin. That comes on top of a “red-flag” warning for extreme fire danger due to high winds. Rain was being reported across the region, but amounts are generally light and not enough yet to stop fires. A secondary frontal band moving into the Columbia Basin was expected to aggravate winds in north central Washington where wildfires are burning, forecasters said. Avista Utilities is reporting scattered outages in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. Downed power lines were reported at 22nd Avenue and Hatch Road; 14th Avenue and Stevens Street; and at Ninth Avenue and Monroe Street. A tree was blown down on state Highway 904 four miles west of Cheney and was blocking the roadway. Avista had 6,300 without power in Lewiston, but more than half of those customers had power restored before 1 p.m. Another 3,200 were without power in Clarkston. Gusts to 63 mph were reported at Nez Perce County Airport this morning. One report from Lewiston said that a tree branch fell on a pedestrian or pedestrians. Spokane International Airport just before noon was reporting west wind gusts to 47 mph with sustained winds at 36 mph. Visibility was three-quarters of a mile. In Coeur d’Alene, winds gusted to 44 mph. High winds were expected until this evening. Air quality late this morning was considered unhealthy for persons with health concerns with an air quality index rating of 143. The National Weather Service said the high winds are expected to calm down later this afternoon and die down after nightfall. A secondary cold front is predicted overnight, and that could bring about 0.14 inches of rain to Spokane. The rain tonight and Sunday morning may also dampen the wildfires across the region. Some rain was reported earlier today in Chelan. A low-pressure system associated with today’s dust storm is expected to settle over the Pacific Northwest and bring mild temperatures and a new round of showers at the middle of next week. Highs should reach the 70s and lows will be in the 50s. The milder weather should continue until the start of Labor Day weekend.
This story is developing and will be updated.