SPOKANE — The number of homes burned by a wildfire in the Spokane Valley rose to 13 on Friday as firefighters gradually moved into a heavily wooded area that was devastated by wind-driven flames a day earlier.
The toll of burned homes east of Spokane could rise even higher, said Bill Clifford, spokesman for the Spokane Valley Fire Department.
“As of now, that’s what’s been confirmed,” he said.
There have been no injuries or fatalities from the Valley View Fire, which blackened nearly 2 square miles, about 1,200 acres, Thursday while being driven by winds that gusted to 50 mph.
The 13 destroyed homes were scattered throughout the fire area, Clifford said.
Some were multimillion-dollar homes with views of the Spokane Valley.
Numerous major wildfires continued burning Friday in Eastern Washington, prompting Gov. Chris Gregoire to declare a state of emergency for the entire state. That freed equipment, firefighters and funding for efforts to quench the flames.
Fire crews from across Washington were battling blazes in Chelan, Douglas, Stevens, Adams, Ferry, and Spokane counties. With hot and dry conditions statewide, Gregoire said the proclamation ensured any affected area would have sufficient firefighting resources.
The proclamation also authorized mobilization of the National Guard once other resources have been expended.
Winds dwindled Friday, a day after gusts reached about 70 mph in one place.
The improved conditions helped prevent the Valley View Fire from growing much. Humidity also rose in the parched, pine-covered suburban area known as Dishman Hills where the homes burned.
Later in the day, though, winds appeared to increase gradually, raising fears that flying embers could ignite new fires, Clifford said. A trail was dug around the fire, but winds could easily push it past the cleared area.
More than 200 residents were evacuated Thursday night, and many remained out of their homes Friday. The Red Cross set up an evacuation center at a local high school.
The cause of the fire remained undetermined. In 1991, a firestorm destroyed 114 homes in the same area.
State Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland said half a dozen major wildfires east of the Cascade Range were straining resources, and there might not be a break anytime soon.
“Our resources are really thin,” Sutherland said. “It’s going to be another hot, dry weekend.”
Some firefighters from Washington have been fighting fires in California but are returning, Sutherland said.
The dry weather and smoke were prompting notices to beware of fire dangers across the state. In southeastern Washington’s Benton and Franklin counties, a burn ban was declared. The Chelan-Douglas Health District issued an air quality advisory for the Wenatchee Valley, warning that the elderly, children and anyone with heart and lung conditions such as asthma and emphysema should stay indoors with the windows and doors closed because of smoke from the wildfires.
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