Fires burning near Ritzville, Sprague

RITZVILLE – Smoke from multiple wildfires is creating near-whiteout conditions along portions of Interstate 90, prompting the state Department to of Transportation to close the highway.

Fires erupted earlier this afternoon at multiple locations along the highway.

"Brush fire smoke over road, on I-90 eastbound at Milepost 218," an alert issued by the agency said, announcing the interstate closure.

The fire started about 2:26 p.m., the state reported.

"It's like white-out conditions here because of the smoke," Ritzville resident and businessman Corey Bartlett said.

Gusting winds were also pushin...