COLVILLE, Wash. -- The winds knocked out power to about 6,000 homes in the northeast Washington city, Avista Corp. spokeswoman Catherine Markson said.

Winds in Colville gusted to 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service, and the evidence of their fury was seen all over town in the forms of toppled trees and damages structures.

Stevens County commissioners declared a local state of emergency on Thursday evening as the result of the multiple fires, power outages and downed trees the windstorm caused.

The largest of fires, which is burning along the border of Ferry County and Stevens County just north of Kettle Falls, prompted the evacuation of more than 28 families in both counties.

The American Red Cross is aiding those families at Kettle Falls High School, which is serving as an evacuation shelter.

Photos provided by KXLY-TV viewer Tyler Brammer.