High winds push fire south

EPHRATA — Strong winds and a large, fast-moving wildfire led to road closures throughout northern Grant County on Monday, and blowing dust and smoke closed Interstate 90 near Ritzville. The strong winds also led to numerous power outages.

The Cold Springs Canyon-Pearl Hill Fire started Sunday night north of Bridgeport. Strong winds pushed it south, and it is expected to reach Grant County, according to a social media post on Grant County Fire District No. 13. Fire District No. 13 crews are working in the Sheep Canyon-Whitehall Road area, and people were asked to stay out of the area due to very poor visibility.

As of 1:30 p.m. Monday, no evacuation notices had been issued for Grant County related to this fire.

The Washington Department of Transportation announced the closure of I-90 from the Grant County-Adams County line to Ritzville due to poor visibility and numerous collisions. State Route 17 and State Route 172 were closed, and so was U.S. Highway 2 between SR 17 and SR 172. To the south, U.S. 395 was closed between Ritzville and the junction with SR 26.

Electrical outages were reported in Moses Lake, Coulee City, Soap Lake and Royal City, according to Grant County Public Utility District. Due to the windy weather and low visibility, no estimates were available for when power would be restored.