Firefighter flown to Harborview; parts of Coulee Dam, Grand Coulee under mandatory evacuation from Grass Valley fire
A firefighter was injured and parts of the towns of Grand Coulee and Coulee Dam were evacuated Saturday as windy conditions created a roaring wildfire in central Washington.
The fire, called the Grass Valley fire, started in late morning. By 1:45 p.m. it was 1,000 acres and required mobilization of state resources, said Kyle Foreman, Grant County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.
As of 9:30 p.m. Saturday, northwestern sections of the towns were under level 3 evacuation notice, meaning residents should leave immediately.
Foreman said the firefighter who was injured was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Further information about the incident, including the agency the firefighter works for, was not available late Saturday.
Firefighter suffered burns on the fire near Mansfield, he’s currently en-route to Harborview for treatment. I’ll update as information becomes available. -Trp. Anderson
— Trooper Brian Moore (@wspd6pio) August 11, 2018
The State Fire Marshal’s Office reported that the fire started near Mansfield in Douglas County and was burning in grass, brush and timber.
“It’s wind-driven. It’s heavy fuel,” Foreman said. “It hasn’t slowed down at all today.”
A Red Cross shelter was being set up Saturday night at Wilbur High School, Foreman said.
#GrassValleyFire:: Red Cross Shelter for evacuees at Wilbur High School, 202 Pope St in Wilbur pic.twitter.com/fXleXYtWEL
— Grant County Sheriff (@GrantCoSheriff) August 12, 2018