CNN –
Fueled by strong winds and unseasonably warm temperatures, a wildfire burning in Washington state burned up to 2,000 acres on Sunday, forcing thousands to evacuate.
The Nakia Creek Fire began Oct. 9 on Larch Mountain, northeast of Camas in Clark County near the Oregon border, burning and creeping up steep, rocky terrain in the forest State of Yacolt Burn.
The fire grew from 156 to 2,000 acres in a matter of hours Sunday amid severe weather conditions, with extreme heat, low humidity and high winds, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Firefighters reported good progress battling the blaze earlier in the week, then weather conditions worsened, with winds fanning the flames as they tore through dry wood, brush and grass. As of Sunday night, the fire was 5% contained.
“Easterly winds were so strong today that air assets were grounded at times for safety,” Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency officials said in an evening update.
Final update for the night on the #NakiaCreekFire and we have an additional area now under a “Level 1 Be Ready” advisory. All updates are on #Clarkwa #vanwa pic.twitter.com/Bk7Wo5tbbd
— CRESA Talk (@CRESATalk) October 17, 2022
As the fire ripped through extremely steep terrain, more residents were asked to leave their homes.
Nearly 3,000 homes were under evacuation orders as of Sunday night, and thousands more were told to prepare to flee.
Inmates at the Larch Correctional Facility in Yacolt were evacuated to other correctional facilities, state officials said Sunday.
The Washington Department of Corrections said it is working with county emergency officials to determine the “best course of action to ensure the health and safety of our staff and those in our care and custody.”
A red flag warning was extended for the area until Sunday, amid unexpected heat and dry easterly winds.
This year’s fire season has been a long one for Washington state fire crews who have been working long days for several months, Clark County officials said, noting that the fire season it usually ends in the area in October.
Numerous wildfires continue in the Cascades this afternoon and smoke is moving north. Critical fire weather conditions through this afternoon with stronger winds and dry weather. #WAwx pic.twitter.com/n6TysHaStr
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) October 16, 2022
“With the current weather patterns here in the PNW, we have another good week of potential fires,” Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency officials said, describing a fire official as telling crews that ” even though the calendar may say it’s October 16th… I need you. think like it’s August 16th.”
Some cities in the area experienced record temperatures over the weekend. The temperature in Seattle reached 88 degrees on Sunday, marking the second warmest October day on record and breaking the daily record of 72 degrees set in 2018, according to the National Weather Service.
Authorities reported other fires in the area Sunday, including near Chelatchie Prairie and Sunset Campground in Clark County, as well as several in neighboring Skamania County.
As the fire continues, winds are expected to ease, but temperatures will remain well above average for the next few days, CNN meteorologist Robert Shackelford said.
The Nakia Fire is in an area where temperatures are about 10 degrees above average, and hot conditions will continue through Thursday before dropping to average and below average over the weekend. Shackelford said. Rain is also likely over the weekend, which will bring some much-needed relief for firefighters.