Spokane County declares State of Emergency: Gray Fire reaches over 10,000 acres, turns deadly

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gray Fire, burning near Medical Lake just north of Spokane, has reached 10,085 acres and is 97% contained. Evacuation orders have been downgraded, but more than 185 structures have been lost. Two people have reportedly died. 

According to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Spokane County declared a State of Emergency at 12 p.m. Saturday due to wildfires burning in the region.

A body was found in the area burned by the Oregon fire north of Spokane on Sunday afternoon, fire officials told The Associated Press on Monday.

Another person died in connection with the Gray Fire that started Aug. 18 west of Spokane, authorities said over the weekend.

On Friday, I-90 closed in both directions between the Four Lakes Interchange and Salnave Road due to the wildfire. Crews with the Washington State Department of Transportation say the fire jumped I-90.

By Monday afternoon, both directions of I-90 had reopened.

The Gray Fire broke out around noon on Friday. It initially started off as 200 acres burning but quickly spread to at least 10,000 acres by the weekend.

It's spreading through dry grass, timber and wheat and is continuing to threaten homes.

The fire has forced Level 2 'be ready' evacuations and multiple Level 3 ‘go now’ evacuations. As of 4:30 p.m. on Monday, evacuation orders have been scaled back.

Click here for the most up-to-date information on evacuation orders.

Wildfire risk throughout the state is at an extreme high, with dry conditions, hot temperatures and wind helping fires easily spread. 

This is a developing story.

FOX 13 will have updates as they become available.