Homes in Okanogan County faced ongoing threats from multiple brush fires Tuesday night.
The Spring Coulee fire now estimated at around 280 acres in size was reported at 5:30 Tuesday afternoon near the 100 block of Spring Coulee Road, just west of Okanogan. The fire advanced uphill, consuming the area around Spring Coulee Road and spreading downhill, as confirmed by Okanogan County Emergency Management. Helicopters and ground crews are actively combating the blaze. Approximately 100 homes on Dry Coulee and Cemetery roads were under a level 2 evacuation notice, as of early Wednesday morning that has been reduced to a level 1 advisory. Maurice Goodall from Okanogan County Emergency Management stated that firefighters experienced some relief as the wind temporarily pushed the fire back upon itself, although a change in wind direction is anticipated. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and there are no reports of containment efforts thus far.
Additionally, a separate fire is burning further west near the Spring Coulee Fire, the Loup Loup fire is posing a threat to homes in the Buzzard Lake Road and Leader Lake Road areas. A level 1 evacuation notice has been issued, and at last repot authorities indicate that progress is being made in managing that fire.
Containment updates are pending, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the Loup Loup blaze.
