Wildfire
The fire that started near Highway 14 in the Columbia River Gorge, in Wishram, Washington, Tuesday, has grown to 5000 acres, prompting evacuations in multiple nearby areas. In this photo, firefighters keep watch at a containment line as the Carr fire continues to spreads towards the town of Douglas City near Redding, California, on July 30, 2018. Getty Images/ Mark Ralston

The fire that started near Highway 14 in the Columbia River Gorge, in Wishram, Washington, on Tuesday has grown to 5000 acres, prompting evacuations in multiple nearby areas.

The blaze which was originally called Avery fire, started around 4:30 p.m. EDT and within an hour and half had already engulfed 1,200 acres along the highway, continuing to spread north up the canyons before heading east.

Photos and videos on social media showed water being dropped by helicopters, as around 200 firefighters tried to battle the spreading flames. Apart from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, several other local fire departments had been called in to help with the effort.

The latest reports suggested the fire was burning northeast toward Centerville and Goldendale. What caused the fire is still unknown.

A level 3 evacuation order was issued for Wishram Heights, north of Highway 14, east of Dalles Mountain Road, west of Highway 97, south of Springstreet Road, while a Level 2 evacuation warning was set in place for the area of Wishram Heights south of Highway 14, NBC affiliated KGW reported. Also, a Level 1 evacuation order was issued for the south of Highway 14.

According to a website for Snohomish County in Washington, a Level 3 evacuation order means “danger is currently affecting your area or is imminent, and you should leave immediately.”

On the other hand, Level 2 and Level 1 implies, “there is a significant risk to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the area, or, be ready to leave at a moments notice” and “residents should be aware of the danger that exists, and monitor local media outlets for information,” respectively.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency Tuesday due to the wildfires burning across the state. Meanwhile, local residents were trying everything they could to keep the fire at bay and save their homes and families from danger.

Jill Devore from Wishram Heights said that they had used sprinklers to "wet everything down in the back and back over here. It looks like it's getting worse," said Jill Devore, adding that she had evacuate due to a wildfire last year too.

"It's scary. So uncontrollable. I'm one of those people who's not going to leave without a fight for my house. It's all I have. I'm not just going to leave it," Devore said.

Another fire that broke out near the Oregon-Washington border burned for 15 acres, but was almost brought under control after an aggressive air attack with eight planes and two large air tankers.

An emergency shelter was set up at the Goldendale High School by the Red Cross. Families displaced due the fire can call 888-680-1455.

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