(Updated at 3:30 pm)
A wildfire that began near Riverside State Park has apparently jumped the Spokane River and is threatening homes in northwest Spokane.
Spokane County Emergency Management has issued a level 3 evacuation for residents living near Newkirk Road on the north, Trails Road on the south, N. Hayford Road on the west and W. Euclid Road on the east. On the other side of the river, it has also issued a level 3 evacuation for the area bounded by Strong Road on the north, Francis on the south, the Spokane River on the west and West Five Mile Road on the east.
Crews from Fire District 10 are battling the flames.
The fire is throwing dark smoke into the sky. Southwest winds are carrying it into north Spokane.
An evacuation shelter has been set up in the small gym at Spokane Falls Community College. County officials say they’ve opened the Spokane County Fairgrounds for people who need a place to evacuate their animals.
No word yet whether any structures have caught fire or anyone has been injured.
The state Emergency Management division is sending resources at the request of Fire District 10.
Level 3 evacuations are also in place for a second fire near Peone Prairie in northeast Spokane.
The Fairview fire has burned about 50 acres. The evacuation area is bounded by E. Peone Road on the north, Market Street on the west, and Bruce and Argonne Road on the east.
There's now a third wildfire burning in the Spokane area. The Autumn Lane burning near Nine Mile Falls has consumed approximately 40 acres, according to Watch Duty.