Fire burns 3 acres northwest of Newman Lake

A small wildfire burned 3 acres northwest of Newman Lake on Wednesday, prompting immediate evacuations.

The fire began around 12:50 p.m. near North Cougar Lane, near the McKenzie Conservation Area, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Forward progress of the fire had stopped by around 4 p.m. Evacuation zones were downgraded to a Level 1 “get ready” status just before 5 p.m.

Residents who live from the north end of Cougar and Shady Lane, south to East Foothills Road, east to Shady Lane and to the west end of Snowy Ridge Lane were initially advised to evacuate immediately.

Also told to evacuate were residents north to Foothills Road, south to 12722 W. Newman Lake Drive, east to Newman Lake and west to 19924 E. Temple Road, according to Spokane County Emergency Management.

Those who had to flee their homes were encouraged to go to an evacuation shelter at East Farms Elementary School.

Four aircraft responded and were taking water from the lake, Washington state Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Ryan Rodruck said.

A red flag warning was in effect until 10 p.m. for most of Eastern Washington, including Spokane County. Wind gusts of up to 25 mph were expected in the Newman Lake area, according to the National Weather Service.

Since Tuesday, 167 new wildfires were reported nationwide, the fire center posted on Facebook.