Structure fire prompts evacuation warning

The Pend Oreille County Sheriff's Office is advising residents who evacuated from the area south of the railroad tracks due to a structure fire that they can now return home.

Word that they could return home came about about 3:30 p.m. — about an hour after residents were advised they might want to evacuate due to winds in the region and their proximity to the S. Washington Street structure fire.

While residents can return, POCSO officials advised residents to exercise caution as there were still firefighters and emergency crews in the area.

National Weather Service officials advised the region will see southwest winds into Friday evening from 13 to 18 mph with gusts as high as 21 to 29 mph, depending on the location.

The unsettled weather is expected to continue into the weekend with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms into Saturday evening. Winds are expected to continue from the southwest from 8 to 15 mph with gusts as high as 24 mph.

PCSO officials had no additional information on the fire as of mid-afternoon Friday.