BEVERLY, Wash. – A 10-acre wildfire on State Route (SR) 243 has caused traffic delays, affecting the area between there and the Columbia River. Residents in the vicinity have been issued evacuation orders.
According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the fire, which covered 10 acres in Beverly, was sparked when a tractor veered off the road and caught fire. The tractor driver escaped unharmed.
Both the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office announced the closure of all lanes on SR243 until the smoke and fire were brought under control. WSP reported that the fire was advancing toward the Columbia River.
Currently, no specific timeframe is provided for reopening all lanes.
Grant County Sheriff’s Office has issued a level 3 evacuation from the areas A Street to Morrison Street to the Columbia River. The Sheriff’s Office are telling residents of that area to leave immediately.
Level 2 evacuation has been issued in the town of Beverly. With the Sheriff’s Office advising residents to be ready to leave.
This story is being developed, and further details will be provided later.
