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Northeast Washington Team 3 will assume command of the Gray Fire from outgoing Northwest Team 7 on Saturday afternoon. A contingent of engines and firefighters will remain on the Gray Fire through the weekend to complete mop up and rehabilitation work. Continued cool, wet weather is assisting firefighters but they are still finding and extinguishing scattered pockets of heat and smoldering debris.

Cloudy conditions kept temperatures mild throughout the afternoon yesterday, leading to minimal fire behavior and smoke production. Heavy fire traffic continues in and around the Gray Fire area. Please be respectful as community members return to homes and property.   

Heavy fire traffic continues in and around the Gray Fire area. Please be respectful as community members return to the area and damage assessments continue. Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.   Today’s Activities: Crews continue to mop up the perimeter as containment has grown to 68%. Firefighters are also working within the interior of the burned area to perform structure assessments, fall hazard trees, suppress hot spots, and secure structure perimeters.   

Thank you to the community members and emergency response personnel who participated in the Gray Fire community meeting last night. We appreciate the courtesy of the Medical Lake School District for use of the Medical Lake High School gymnasium. Representatives from local agencies and Northwest Team 7 shared updates about the fire, its impacts, and next steps.  

There will be a community meeting TONIGHT, August 23, at 7:00 p.m. at the Medical Lake High School - 200 E Barker St. Medical Lake, WA 99022.  Representatives from local agencies and Northwest Team 7 will be sharing updates about the fire, its impacts, and next steps. 

There will be a community meeting tomorrow, August 23, at 7:00 p.m. in Medical Lake.  Representatives from local agencies and Northwest Team 7 will be sharing updates about the fire, its impacts, and next steps.

The Gray Fire started August 18 near Gray Road west of Medical Lake and quickly spread to the east and southeast, through Medical Lake and across I-90.  Level 3 evacuations remain in place for the Medical Lake area.  Unauthorized entry hinders the work of firefighters.  Emergency personnel are asking residents to respect evacuation areas as crews work to make reentry safe again. 

Cheney, WA, - The Gray Fire was first reported at 1227 on Friday, August 18th.  The fire started near Gray Road, west of Medical Lake and quickly spread by wind to the east.  Shifting winds pushed the fire to the southwest, burning along and spotting across I-90.  Crews from around the region have continued to arrive in the area, focusing on structure protection and securing line.