Fire forces road closures, evacuations north of Walla Walla

A fire burning near Walla Walla, called the Dry Creek Fire, has forced road closures and evacuations north of the city.

Highway 125 is closed north of the Washington State Penitentiary to Highway 124, according to the Walla Walla County Emergency Management Department. Level 3 evacuations, meaning people must leave immediately, have also been called for that area.

Harvey Shaw Road and Sudbury Road, starting at Dixie Crossing north to Thiel Road, also has a Level 3 evacuation.

Level 1 evacuations, meaning people need to be alert, have been called for Valley Grove to Lower Waitsburg Road, then south on Lower Waitsburg Road to Bergevin Springs Road. Evacuations during Level 1 are voluntary, and those with special needs or with pets/animals should take note and start making arrangements to evacuate.

The Emergency Management Department says citizens should not call 911 unless a serious situation or life-threatening emergency exists.

This story was originally published August 21, 2016 at 8:28 PM with the headline "Fire forces road closures, evacuations north of Walla Walla."