MOSES LAKE — A fire that originated in Douglas County spilled over into Grant County Tuesday night and prompted a Level 1 evacuation notice for several county residents.

The Sutherland Canyon Fire, which started on Monday in Douglas County, spread into Grant County Tuesday night due to high winds. As a result, a Level 1 evacuation notice was issued Wednesday morning by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office for people living in the area of Trinidad to Road N Northwest and Baird Springs Road east from Crescent Bar Road. Level 1 notices are an alert that signifies no immediate danger to a particular area, but indicates that a fire could possibly be moving that way.

As of Wednesday evening the Sutherland Canyon Fire was estimated to be about 45,000 acres in size. The Sutherland Canyon Fire is one of several fires that have plagued Chelan and Douglas counties over the past couple of days.

The Spartan Fire, located southeast of Wenatchee, was caused by lightning on Monday. The Straight Hollow Fire, located south of East Wenatchee, was formerly grouped under the Sutherland Canyon Fire. Size information for the latter two fires was unavailable at press time. A Red Flag warning only complicated things for firefighters in parts of Grant, Douglas and Chelan counties on Wednesday, as high winds caused rapid fire growth and active fire behavior.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.