Fires erupt in Spokane and Whitman Counties

MEDICAL LAKE - Multiple fires exploded Friday afternoon across both Spokane and Whitman Counties, leaving at least one person dead and burning thousands of acres.

Evacuation notices were issued for Medical Lake, Cheney, Four Lakes, Elk, Winona and other places.

The larger fires were reported in Medical Lake and Elk, both in Spokane County, and Winona, in central Whitman County.

At least one person died and multiple homes were destroyed in the Gray Fire, which broke out about noon near Eastern State Hospital, burning in dry grass, timber and wheat.

The fast-moving blaze quickly spread toward Fo...