Early Friday morning, state assistance was mobilized for a growing wildfire in Douglas County.
The Coulee Meadows wildfire started just before 8 p.m. Thursday, just south of US 2, north of Ephrata. Within hours the fire grew to 250 acres, moving through fast-burning sage and grass.
The fire is moving west from Moses Coulee Road through terrain that is making it difficult to fight. Firefighters are working to stop the southern progress of the fire at Olson Road. Level one evacuations are in effect for the area. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered three strike teams, hand crews, and heavy equipment.
KIRO 7 will be monitoring the fire throughout the morning and will provide updates on KIRO 7 News beginning at 4:30 a.m.