Fire report for July 11, 2023

Joel Martin, Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, Wash.
·3 min read

Jul. 11—MOSES LAKE — Basin fire crews were kept busy over the weekend, with a couple of sizable brush fires that fortunately involved no injuries or structure damage, according to Grant County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kyle Foreman.

A report came in about 8 a.m. Saturday of a fire near milepost 140 on I-90 near the Wild Horse Monument, Foreman said. The engine of a semi that was hauling vehicles had caught fire, and when the driver pulled off onto the shoulder the fire spread to the dry grass beyond. Eastbound traffic was reduced to one lane for safety, Foreman said. The fire burned about 100 acres before it was contained at about 10:45.

At about 5:15 Monday morning, a firefighter saw lightning strike in the area of Roads 36 and I.8 Northeast near Coulee City, Foreman said, igniting a blaze that eventually consumed about 200 acres. Evacuation notices went out about 7 a.m. for a handful of homes that were in the area, Foreman said, and were lifted about 9. One person had to shelter in an ambulance until it was safe to return home, he added, but no homes were threatened.

Fires were also reported near the interaction of Road 12 NW and Road W NW, near Baird Springs south of Road W NW and near Crescent Bar Road Monday afternoon. Residents near Crescent Bar were advised to close their windows and remain indoors due to air quality concerns. Additional details were not available as of press time. Information will be included in our next edition.

These wildfires were also burning in Washington as of Monday afternoon, according to the National Interagency Fire Center:

—Tunnel 5, about four miles west of White Salmon: 529 acres. Fire discovered July 2. 80% contained.

—Consalus, about 20 miles north of Newport: 100 acres. Fire discovered June 30. 8% contained.

—McEwan, about three miles northeast of Shelton: 250 acres. Fire discovered July 4. 70% contained.

—Coulter Creek, about 6 miles southwest of Port Orchard: 3 acres. Fire discovered July 4. Containment information not available.

—OIE Highway, about 10 miles northeast of Prosser: 1,300 acres. Fire discovered July 3. 100% contained.

—Moran Creek, about 12 miles northwest of Chewelah: 61 acres. 95% contained.

—Hover Park, three miles southeast of Finley: 528 acres. Fire discovered June 13. 100% contained.

—Ruppert Road, about three miles north of Benton City: 155 acres. Fire discovered June 13. 100% contained.

—Oasis, about seven miles west of Touchet: 4,250 acres. Fire discovered June 19. 100% contained.

—Hansen Road, about one mile south of Benton City: 6,289 acres. Fire discovered June 13. 100% contained.

—Methow, south end of Wenatchee: 150 acres. Fire discovered June 27. Containment information not available.

—Gold Mountain Ridge, about 12 miles northeast of Keller: 28.8 acres. Fire discovered June 29. 100% contained.

—Bogachiel, about two miles west of Forks: 5 acres. Fire discovered July 4. Containment information not available.

—Bozy Creek, about seven miles east of Elma: 5 acres. Fire discovered July 5. Containment information not available.

—Pine Spring, about 10 miles west of Cheney: 29.5 acres. Fire discovered July 2. Containment information not available.

—Elfendahl, about 16 miles southwest of Bremerton: 1.5 acres. Fire discovered July 9. Containment information not available.

—Laurel Street, Shelton: 3 acres. Fire discovered July 8. Containment information not available.

—Anderson Road, about seven miles southeast of Morton: 1 acre. Fire discovered July 10. Containment information not available.

—Farnham, about 13 miles west of Mansfield: 76 acres. Fore discovered July 8. Containment information not available.

—OA-Cook Road, about 11 miles west of Yakima: 2.5 acres. Fire discovered June 22. Containment information not available.

—Coyote Creek, about 17 miles northwest of Grand Coulee: 1,555 acres. Prescribed burn.

—Beck, about 16 miles southwest of Colville: 10 acres. Fire discovered July 9. Containment information not available.

—Pingston, about three miles north of Kettle Falls: 27.5 acres. Fire discovered July 8. Containment information not available.

—Miller Ranch, about six miles northeast of Sprague: 9.8 acres. Fire discovered July 8. Containment information not available.

Joel Martin may be reached via email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.