A wildfire near Nespelem in Okanogan County burned over 10,000 acres and 7 homes after lightning sparked the fire Monday night.
The entire town of Nespelem was evacuated safely and no lives were lost, said Colville Tribal Chairman Andrew “Badger” Joseph Jr. Seven homes burned however only three of them were occupied at the time of the fire, the other four were vacant.
“It was really crazy last night,” Joseph said.
All of the fires were caused by lightning strikes, according to information from the Colville Tribes, Department of Natural Resource, and Mt. Tolman Fire Center. During the lightening storm Monday night there were about 60 cloud to ground lightning strikes reported, according to the National Weather Service Spokane.