New wildfire near Spokane, Washington, prompts mandatory evacuations

By: The Associated Press Posted:

Advertisement

Advertise with us

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A fast-moving wildfire that ignited near Spokane Monday is prompting mandatory evacuations, Washington state officials said.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/07/2023 (1158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A fast-moving wildfire that ignited near Spokane Monday is prompting mandatory evacuations, Washington state officials said.

The West Hallett Fire started about 1:30 p.m. about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) southwest of Spokane and had high potential for growth, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources said.

At least 20 homes are threatened. Some people in the area were told to evacuate immediately, with others warned to be set to leave, KREM-TV reported.

Fourteen planes were dropping water and retardant on the flames, which had burned more than 200 acres (81 hectares) by about 5:30 p.m., DNR officials said. No structure loss has been reported, officials said.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter Monday afternoon at Cheney High School.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Report Error Submit a Tip

Advertisement

Learn more about Winnipeg Free Press Advertising solutions

More Stories

‘Warmest welcome’ at Manitoba, U.K. defence partnership summit

Gabrielle Piché 3 minute read Yesterday at 6:09 PM CDT

The working name of Manitoba’s newest defence-focused group is Tea and Textiles.

Carole and Tim Champion may become members. The British entrepreneurs spent Tuesday touring Boeing, StandardAero and Magellan Aerospace in Winnipeg, pondering how they could partner with the businesses.

They own Needles and Pins Aerospace, a United Kingdom-based company that makes and repairs covers and interior fabrics for aircraft. The firm holds internationally recognized quality management standards.

“I think we could bring something to the party,” Carole said post-tours.

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Jennifer Bone and Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett remove a star blanket to unveil a sign at the Brandon Residential School Cemetery at the former Turtle Crossing Campground, Tuesday.

Acquisition of former residential school grounds will help educate future generations: premier

Connor McDowell and Morgan Modjeski 5 minute read Preview

Acquisition of former residential school grounds will help educate future generations: premier

Connor McDowell and Morgan Modjeski 5 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2026

Premier Wab Kinew says a former Brandon-area campground acquired by the province will help educate future generations about the horrors of residential schools.

“We live in an era where people are trying to deny what happened in residential schools,” Kinew said during a Tuesday afternoon visit to Turtle Crossing Campground, near the former Brandon Indian Residential School. “It’s an important part of our national history, and keeping that truth alive.”

Kinew officially announced the province’s plan Tuesday, in partnership with the City of Brandon, to acquire and protect the site where the bodies of more than 50 Indigenous children are located.

The premier said the property has “huge national significance” for education about residential school history because it is one of the “most documented” in the country. He carried photographs, and some 20th century newspaper clippings from the Brandon Sun around the site Tuesday.

Read
Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2026

Letters, Oct. 1

6 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

Many thanks

My life changed the day after Thanksgiving, 1967. My wife and I crossed the bridge at Fort Francis, Ont., and were accepted into Canada; she was a citizen and I was a draft dodger. We went to Winnipeg, looked for work and found rooms upstairs in a nice home owned by an older couple.

I remember the wind and cold that December as I went around town, failing to find a job. But our small savings dwindled fast and, after Christmas, we were forced to make a tough decision, to stay or go.

I am almost 80 now and I have never since found myself in such a hard spot. A few days after paying our next months’ rent, I had to ask our hosts for our rent back. They were due it and they had earned it; I had no rightful claim on it.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Emily (13, left) and Julie (eight) Sobkowicz with their family landline phone on Sept. 25. The family has used the landline to encourage the kids’ communication skills and stave off the encroachment of digital devices.

In a smart-device world, some families keep phone jacked into the wall

Sheldon Birnie 8 minute read Preview

In a smart-device world, some families keep phone jacked into the wall

Sheldon Birnie 8 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2026

When the phone rings in Kristin Shiach and Jordan Sobkowicz’s Riverview home, their three daughters race to see who can be the first to answer.

“It depends who is closest,” says 13-year-old Emily. “If I’m sitting in my room, I can get to it quickest.”

“That’s because it’s always in your room,” Anna, 10, replies. “You never put it back!”

“Usually, when the phone rings,” explains Sobkowicz, “someone yells really loudly —”

Read
Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2026
Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea’s even-keeled demeanour has a way of rubbing off on the players on his team.

Bombers coach happy to be back at work after backbreaking loss to Argos

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers coach happy to be back at work after backbreaking loss to Argos

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2026

It’s the first practice day after a backbreaking loss.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are in a challenging predicament with four games remaining — starting Saturday on the road against the Montreal Alouettes (11-3) — that leaves their playoff aspirations far from solidified.

And yet, head coach Mike O’Shea makes his way behind the podium, looks out at a room of reporters and is grinning ear to ear.

Why so happy?

Read
Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2026
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS People gather for Truth And Reconciliation Day or Orange Shirt Day in Manitoba as they walk down York Ave in Winnipeg Monday, September 30, 2024. Reporter: tyler

What’s open, what’s closed, what’s up in Winnipeg on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Sept. 30, 2026

Free Press staff 4 minute read Preview

What’s open, what’s closed, what’s up in Winnipeg on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Sept. 30, 2026

Free Press staff 4 minute read Sunday, Sep. 27, 2026

The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, or Orange Shirt Day, as it's known in Manitoba, happens Sept. 30 with many commemorative community events scheduled.

Read
Sunday, Sep. 27, 2026