1,000 acre brush fire prompts evacuations north of Soap Lake

A 1,000 acre fire prompted a Level 3 evacuation from an area north Soap Lake Saturday afternoon.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office urged residents of the Smokiam RV park, located at the northern tip of the lake, to evacuate and relocate to East Beach Park in the town of Soap Lake. The fire caused closures of Highway 17 from milepose 76 to milepost 98.

A Level 2 evacuation notice was in put in effect for the region west of the lake. The town of Soap Lake was not in danger, according to the sheriff’s office.

Heat and dryness combined to create the “perfect conditions” for a fire, according to Washington State Trooper Brian Moore. He encouraged residents to use caution to avoid further incidents.