Video: Wildfires take off across Washington

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SPOKANE, Wash. - Winds gusting to 50 mph are driving three fires in Spokane Valley toward populated areas.

Fire crews are battling a fire that is spreading east on the outskirts of the Dishman Hills area of Spokane Valley in a heavily wooded area. The fire was estimated at about 1,200 acres Thursday evening.

Spokane Valley Mayor Richard Munson is expected to declare a State of Emergency later Thursday evening.

Gregoire flew to Spokane and visited the fire command center late Thursday, and said she had given verbal approval for declaration of emergency requests from Spokane and Ferry counties. That will make state resources available as needed, she said.

"We have planes ready to go first thing in the morning, depending on winds," Gregoire said.

Gregoire flew to Wenatchee earlier in the day, and then hustled to Spokane, flying over numerous fires in Eastern Washington.

Four homes were completely destroyed by the fast-moving wildfire in Spokane Valley, but there have not been any reports of injuries.

Winds and temperatures were dropping Thursday night, which aided firefighters.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for residents in the area between Park and University, and Sprague and E 44nd Ave. The Washington State Patrol is helping with evacuations.

The Red Cross is offering temporary shelter at University High School at 124 E. 32nd Ave. Homeowners also may head to Valley Mission Park.

Senator Maria Cantwell issued the following statement: "I am deeply concerned for communities, business owners and families throughout Spokane Valley and the region. As we continue to get more information regarding the situation on the ground, I will do everything I can to ensure that state and local communities have the support of the federal government."

(Photo courtesy Michelle Rogge)

A viewer took this image Thursday of a wildfire burning near Orondo, Wash. east of Highway 97. The photo was taken just north of Entiat looking east across the Columbia River at Orondo.

High winds pushed several other wildfires through rough terrain in Eastern Washington Thursday as the National Weather Service issued red-flag warnings for wildfire conditions, including fires in Colville and North Spokane County.

Wildfires were also reported burning in Ferry, Lincoln, Stevens and Pend Orielle counties in northeast Washington.

Stevens County Commissioners declared a State of Emergency Thursday evening as 40 wildfires are burning in the area forcing evacuations near Barstow, 30 miles north of Colville. A significant wind storm swept through the entire county causing multiple fire starts, power outages and downed trees.

The largest fire in the county in the Barstow area resulted in 28 families being evacuated in both Stevens and Ferry counties. The American Red Cross is assisting with the fire by opening the Kettle Falls High School as an evacuation shelter.

Elsewhere in Stevens County, there have been 30 to 40 fire starts as a result of downed power lines and other wind-related issues. A majority of these fires are less than 10 acres and have been mostly contained.

Firefighters of the Cayuse Fire are battling steep terrain, rattlesnakes and wind gusts of up to 30 mph on a blaze near Tonasket, just south of the U.S.-Canada border, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Robin DeMario.

Evacuation orders were lifted for eight homes late Thursday, but residents of another 11 homes remained on notice they might have to flee the Cayuse Fire, which has burned about 1,400 acres. One structure has burned.

More than 150 firefighters are on the scene.

"With the winds slowing down, that should hopefully help, and we've been getting cooler temperatures at night, which should help as well," DeMario said.

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Badger Creek Fire

Residents of more than three dozen condominiums and homes waited and watched as another fire pushed toward a golf course near the town of Orondo, about 20 miles north of Wenatchee.

Authorities alerted residents of some 40 condos to be aware of the fire, which was moving toward the Desert Canyon Golf Course. About 2,000 acres already had burned late Thursday, with 50 firefighters assigned to the fire, DeMario said.

Both fires started Wednesday.

Crews gained ground on the nearby Badger Creek Fire, also north of Wenatchee, which has burned 4 square miles but was 60 percent contained late Thursday. About 125 people were assigned to the blaze, which started Tuesday.

Twenty miles southwest of Naches in south-central Washington, a 70-acre fire near Tampico was 50 percent contained. Some 160 firefighters battled the fire.

The fire also started Wednesday.

Officials closed a portion of Highway 12 near Lewiston, Idaho due to a fire near the Clearwater Casino from mileposts 305 to 308. Washington State Patrol closed Highway 395 due to heavy smoke on the roadway. The largest closures were at mileposts 265 and 248. The casino was evacuated but later reopened.

The cause of all the wildfires remains under investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.