Fire chars Medical Lake

MEDICAL LAKE - Rain Tuesday, Aug. 22, gave fire crews a break in their effort to stop the growth of the Gray Fire.

As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, fire officials said the blaze was 48% contained. The new estimated size is 10,016 acres.

On Wednesday at 7, officials hosted a community meeting to explain the status of the Gray Fire and hear fire victims' concerns.

They were also explain the command post move from Cheney Middle School to Pine Lodge, 721 S. Pine St.

That meeting was planned for Medical Lake High School, 200 E. Barker St.

The move will open the door for the Cheney School District ready for the start of the school year.

Fire officials said Wednesday morning that all Level III evacuation warnings had been lifted for the Gray Fire.

The state manages fire evacuation recommendations on a three-tiered system, with Level I meaning a fire is in the area. Level II means fire is approaching, so if you're evacuating you need to be ready to go.

Level III means fire is imminent and voluntary evacuees should be leaving.

At the height of the fire, up to 4,000 residents had been advised to evacuate or prepare to do so.

Fire managers said crews are making good progress securing the perimeter of the fire and monitoring bulldozer lines and fire breaks.

Meanwhile, hot spots continued to burn inside fire lines.

Within the interior of the fire, firefighters were planning to secure areas that had not burned Wednesday.

Fire officials said trees and snags will likely continue to smolder for several days.

Residents should expect to see a few crews fire-damaged falling trees.

There are 565 firefighters, 57 engines, 11 wildland fire crews, 10 water tenders and nine bulldozers assigned to the fire.

With rainfall and a higher humidity, officials said they may shift some personnel to the Oregon Road Fire in the coming days.

Officials here are anticipating containment of the fire by Sept. 1.

In the meantime, the progress crews have made has given authorities enough comfort to reopen Salnave Road. State Highways 902 and 904 have also reopened.

Interstate 90 reopened Monday afternoon.