UPDATE: July 20, 9:20 a.m.
TUMTUM, Wash. — Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations have been issued for the Happy Hills area as the Lake Spokane Fire grew to more than 2,000 acres overnight.
The Stevens County Emergency Management said the Red Cross has opened a shelter at Lakeside High School. A large number of aircraft will assist with firefighting efforts. Officials urged residents to avoid the area and stay off the water.
Highway 291 is closed to through traffic. Authorities said keeping the area clear is critical to protect the many first responders working on the fire.
State fire mobilization was authorized late Saturday night to help battle the blaze.
UPDATE: July 19, 2025 at 10:12 p.m.
Highway 291 has been reopened and will remain open overnight. However, according to Stevens County Fire District One (SCFD1), the road will be closed again Sunday at 8 a.m., as operations fully resume.
By 9 a.m., air support will resume as well, and SCFD1 warned that aerial operations will be “intense,” similar to Saturday’s 18-aircraft operation.
SCFD1 also warned residents that fire will be visible throughout the night, but added that fire crews will be on scene working to manage the flames and ensure the safety of the surrounding community to the best of their abilities.
Level three evacuations will remain in place through the night.
According to SCFD1, Northeast Washington Fire Information will be taking over digital updates starting Sunday morning.
UPDATE: July 19, 2025 at 8:25 p.m.
According to Stevens County Fire District One, the fire has been named the “Lake Spokane Fire,” and is currently burning 575 acres. One primary structure and one secondary structure have been destroyed in the blaze.
Officials stated that progression has been slowed by the efforts of aircraft on the scene, allowing District One crews, along with other mutual aid districts and the Department of Natural Resources, to move in and continue working towards containment.
Fire crews will remain on the scene throughout the night as more resources arrive from around the state.
Evacuations remain in place until further notice, but firefighters will continue evaluating evacuation statuses constantly, according to Stevens County Fire District One.
Meanwhile, Stevens County Emergency Managmenet announced that Red Cross has opened a shelter at Lakeside High School, just off of Highway 291 and Lakeside Lane, for all evacuated residence.
UPDATE: July 19, 2025 at 6:54 p.m.
Stevens County Fire District One reported that aircraft are continuing to make progress battling the fire with water scooped from Long Lake.
Winds have reportedly started picking up, as ground crews are establishing lines along the perimeter of the fire.
Officials stated that a portion of the fire is burning in highly rugged terrain, requiring the heavy utilization of helicopters, as getting ground crews to effectively work in this terrain will be extremely difficult.
Stevens County Fire added that no acreage update has been obtained yet, because the aircraft have been busy.
UPDATE: July 19, 2025 at 5:52 p.m.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is fully closing down Highway 291 in the fire area, reportedly due to a high volume of traffic and fire burning on both sides of the road.
Drivers are strongly urged to stay away from the area.
UPDATE: July 19, 2025 at 5:32 p.m.
Stevens County Fire (SCF) District One reported that the fire has spread to over 250 acres, and is currently threatening nearby structures. Officials confirmed the loss of at least one structure.
SCF has requested state mobilization as the fire is being accelerated to the northwest by winds pushing upwards from the southwest.
Stevens County Emergency Management has contacted Red Cross about establishing shelters for evacuated residents.
UPDATE: July 19, 2025 at 5:15 p.m.
Stevens County Emergency Management reported that the fire is burning approximately 200 acres. Level three evacuation have been implemented on the north side of Highway 291.
Air support is still responding on the scene and the public has been urged to continue avoiding the area.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) announced that a full closure of northbound Highway 291, 15 miles north of Suncrest, will remain in place until further notice while firefighters continue battling the flames. A detour using local roads has been established, and WSP officers are at the scene of the closure to assist.
UPDATE: July 19, 2025 at 4:44 p.m.
The Stevens County Sheriff’s Office reported that the brush fire is moving rapidly between Tum Tum and Corkscrew Canyon, adding that air assets will be scooping water from Long Lake to battle the fire.
Boaters in the area have been urged to leave and make way while the aircraft continue to work.
STEVENS COUNTY, Wash. – A multi-acre brush fire has ignited west of the Red Lake area, according to Stevens County Emergency Management (SCEM).
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the brush fire is burning near State Route 291, prompting closures of the roadway near milepost 28.38, in the area of Corkscrew Canyon Road. These closures were first implemented at 3:43 p.m., and will remain in place until further notice, WSDOT stated.
Evacuation orders have been issued as fire crews from Stevens County Fire District One respond to the scene.
No information has been shared regarding the cause of the fire.
Article originally published July 19, 2025 at 4:15 p.m.
