A fast-moving wildfire has torn through nearly 300 acres of Beacon Hill in Spokane, Washington, racing into the Northwood neighborhood with zero containment as firefighters and aircraft work to protect hundreds of homes. A fast-moving wildfire has burned nearly 300 acres of Beacon Hill in Spokane. (Unsplash/ Representative image)Nearly 12,000 residents and over 2,000 structures have been evacuated, though no injuries have been reported, officials said.How the fire started and spreadAccording to Department of Natural Resources spokesman Ryan Rodruck, the fire was first reported around 12:30pm local time on Tuesday after people reported seeing smoke. It quickly turned into a major emergency. Firefighter Robert Gray of Spokane County Fire District 9 said the fire “very rapidly was upgraded to a bushfire response," per the Spokeperson-review.The fire jumped from 1 acre to 10 acres in just 30 minutes. By 1:45pm local time, it had reached 50 acres and was still spreading east. By 2:50pm local time and it had grown to 292 acres, all with zero percent containment, as strong winds kept pushing it forward.The National Weather Service had issued a red flag warning on Tuesday.Also Read: Nancy Guthrie update: Was she taken because of Savannah? New theory emerges as search expandsEvacuations and containment statusA level 3 evacuation which means to leave the place immediately and residents were ordered to do the same between Bigelow Gulch to the north, Upriver Drive to the south, Northwood to the east and Argonne to the west. A “be set” warning was also in place north of Bigelow Gulch to Uhlig Road and east of Argonne to North Pleasant Prairie Road.By Wednesday morning, the Washington Department of Natural Resources said the evacuated areas had not grown overnight but specified the zones more precisely: level 3 evacuations stretch from E Upriver Drive north to E Bigelow Gulch Road, west to N Thierman Road and east to N Argonne Road, while level 2 evacuations extend from N Argonne Rd east to Lehman, according to KXLY. DNR officials also confirmed the fire had reached 10% containment by Wednesday morning with more than 200 acres burned. Crews said roughly 500 homes are threatened, though they have not yet confirmed how many structures have been destroyed or damaged. Roads near the evacuation zones remain blocked off and fire crews are warning people not to fly drones over the area, as it interferes with aircraft operations.The American Red Cross opened an emergency shelter for evacuees at the Spokane Valley United Methodist Church at 115 North Raymond Road in Spokane Valley, offering food and cots. Residents are encouraged to bring medications, hygiene supplies, important documents, clothes, pillows and blankets when evacuating.Here is the map to follow for the updates.Also Read: Hannah Dugan case update: Federal judge upholds conviction; Here's why her appeal did not workPower cuts and outage detailsUtility company Avista de-energized power lines in parts of the Indian Trail neighborhood in northwest Spokane on Tuesday afternoon due to fire risk, affecting around 1,800 customers as of 1pm local time, per the Spokesman-Review. Parts of North Indian Trail Road, Rural Route 5, North 5 Mile Road and North Mill Road are affected. Power was expected to remain off for up to 48 hours if damage occurs. Fire officials warn of dangerous conditions as crews battle blazeSpokane Fire District 9 Fire Chief Brian Mather said there was an urgent need for evacuations during a Tuesday press conference. “Our teams are working hard to protect your homes. Stay out of the area. Please don't come back, that makes it very challenging for our crews,” Mather said, per ABC News. He added that wind-driven fires are especially dangerous to fight because they move so rapidly, and that the densely populated area combined with heavy fuel made conditions tough. Mather said the active fire is expected to last a couple of days. Officials said 10 to 15 aircraft have been assigned to fight the fire, with more expected.