Central Washington wildfire prompts evacuations

(Updates: New evacuation, larger size)

BEVERLY, Wash. (AP) – A fast-moving wildfire in central Washington state has grown to 7.8 square miles (about 5,000 acres), prompting the Grant County Sheriff’s Office to order residents of the town of Smyrna to evacuate.

The wildfire is near Wanapum Dam, and is spreading quickly in dry grass and sage lands on Tuesday.

The sheriff’s office issued a mandatory evacuation notice to residents in the community of Smyrna on Tuesday morning.

The sheriff’s office also told residents of the communities of Beverly, Schawana and Wanapum Village to be ready to move at a moment’s notice.

Officials say no homes have been consumed by the fire. But some areas have experienced power outages.