The 243 Fire in south Grant County has burned nearly 19,000 acres since sparking Monday evening.
Fire command officials say the blaze is at about 18,770 acres, although those numbers will likely change as better mapping becomes available, pushed east through the Smyrna Canyon, fueled by strong winds in difficult-to-access terrain. Air support, including fire bosses and helicopters, worked Tuesday the slow the fire’s growth, pulling water from the upper pool at Wanapum Dam.
The public information officer for the Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team could not be reached Tuesday night for further details, including containment levels.
Multiple outbuildings have been damaged or destroyed. As of Tuesday afternoon, officials say no homes have been lost.
The town of Smyrna was evacuated Tuesday morning and incident command has yet to cancel the Level 3 evacuation notice for the area.