Wildfires force evacuations in southern Grant County

DESERT AIRE — Two wildfires, one of which was tentatively estimated at 500 acres, necessitated several evacuation notices for dozens of southern Grant County residences Thursday night.

The larger fire, dubbed the “Buckshot Fire,” broke out Thursday afternoon and Level 3 evacuation notices, meaning people should evacuate immediately, were sent out for Cox Landing, Road 26 Southwest, south of Road U, Lakeside Way and all areas between in Desert Aire, including Susan Boulevard, Roslyn Court, Sunset Boulevard and Ross Court. All other areas in the Desert Aire community that were not under a Level 3 notice were at a Level 2 as of 8:45 p.m., meaning people should be ready to evacuate.

A fire separate from the Buckshot Fire, which broke out on Road L Southwest, prompted the closure of state Route 24 at the Vernita Bridge. A Red Cross shelter was setup at Wahluke Junior High for evacuees.

Many nearby residents stood along the barbed wire fence separating the Fish and Wildlife property from their residential road, watching the fire burn.

Others came out with shovels, buckets and a fire hose to try to fight the fire themselves, among them Vivian Diaz. Diaz said she had heard of other buildings burning farther down the road, and that she and more than a dozen others were taking the safety of their homes into their own hands.

The Level 2 notice was canceled about 9:35 p.m. by the Sheriff’s Office and the Level 3 notice was downgraded to a Level 1 about 10 minutes later.