VIDEO: A motorcycle crash triggered a wildfire near Mattawa that has grown to over 5,000 acres and is threatening a couple dozen homes, sheriff's officials said.
The blaze, named the "Powerline Fire", began around 12:40 p.m. Sunday in the Saddle Mountains after the crash ignited grass and the fire spread in gusty winds.
By afternoon, some 15 homes and businesses were under mandatory Level 3 evacuation notices, but that was downgraded to a Level 2 notice Monday morning, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office. Level 2 means be ready to go at a moment's notice. Another 15 or so structures are under Level 1 evacuation notices which suggests those in the impact area monitor the situation closely.