Central Washington Fire Threatens Royal City Area, Forces Evacuation

ROYAL CITY (AP) — Law enforcement officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders for a tiny community in central Washington due to a nearby wildfire.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office issued the evacuation order to residents of Smyrna, just south of Royal City, on Saturday. A Level 3 evacuation order means people are in immediate danger and should leave immediately.

Fire officials say the wildfire has been burning since Friday evening and has consumed roughly 15 square miles of sage and brush along the Saddle Mountains. The cause is still unknown.

About 20 miles of Lower Crab Creek Road remains closed, from the town of Beverly to east of Smyrna.