FIRE REPORT: Heat warning issued for Grant, Adams

MOSES LAKE — The National Weather Service’s Spokane bureau released a statement saying there will be a heat wave Thursday through Saturday that could cause increased fire risks.

Grant County will receive some of the heat with Moses Lake sitting between 96 and 98 degrees over the upcoming days, with Friday being the hottest at 98, according to the NWS.

Adams County will also see some of the heat with Ritzville sitting at 95-97 degrees over the upcoming days. Friday and Saturday will both be 97 degrees.

The Grant County Health District released a statement regarding the heat wave reminding residents to drink plenty of water, take breaks in air-conditioned spaces, wear lightweight, loose-fit clothing and to limit outdoor activities to early mornings or evenings.

There is a full burn ban in effect in Washington still and higher temperatures could allow for fires to spread faster.

Largest Washington fires:

Retreat Fire – Washington’s largest fire. 45,601 acres. 85% containment. started at 4 p.m. July 14. Located about 14 miles southeast of Naches. 228 personnel.

Pioneer Fire – Washington’s second-largest wildfire. 38,735 acres. 23% containment. Began around 1 p.m. June 8. Located 10 miles southeast of Stehekin. 401 personnel.

Cougar Creek Fire – Washington’s third-largest fire. 24,091 acres. 80% contained. Blazed up at 8 p.m. July 15. Located south of Walla Walla. 226 personnel.

One new fire Thursday:

Huckleberry Ridge Fire – 80 acres. 0% containment. Started on Sept. 2, however it was below 10 acres Sept. 4. Located in Spokane County.

No new fires contained Thursday.

Other fires:

Blewett Fire – 15 acres. 0% containment. Started 2:23 p.m. Wednesday. Near U.S. 97 Blewett Pass.

Easy Fire – 2,130 acres. 36% containment. Began 8 p.m. July 17. Located 17 miles west of Mazama along North Cascades Scenic Highway. 63 personnel.

Lodgepole Fire – 35 acres. 6% contained. Started at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 12. Located 16 miles west of Cliffdell. Eight personnel on the scene.

Miners Complex Fires – 1,100 acres. 0% containment. Began on July 17. Located 21 miles east of Darrington. Fire crew details unavailable.

Pincer Two Fire – 211 acres. 0% containment. Began on July 18. Located 1 mile east of Mineral Park. 15 personnel.

Rennie Creek Fire – 72.6 acres. 0% containment. Started on Aug. 17. Located in Chelan County.

Ruby Fire – 959 acres. 0% containment. Began 7 a.m. Friday. Located in Whatcom County. 55 personnel.

Six Mile Fire – 113 acres. 90% containment. Began noon Sunday. Located in Ferry County near the head of Cottonwood Creek. 25 personnel.

Shoofly Fire – 104 acres. 63% contained. Ignited on July 8. Located 9 miles north of Stevens Pass. No crew information available.

Stranger Creek II Fire – 66 acres. 90% contained. Ignited 2:17 p.m. Sunday. Located in Ferry County. 79 personnel.

Williams Mine Fire – 12,528 acres. 31% contained. Started noon Aug. 5. Located near Mount Adams Wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 174 personnel.

Other fires reported throughout the state have burned less than 10 acres and are not included in this report. The majority are less than 1 acre.

The Columbia Basin’s wildfire danger continues to be very high. The Grant County Sheriff’s office has asked area residents to be careful with anything that could cause a wildfire.

Air quality was good Thursday for the Columbia Basin.

SOURCES: InciWeb/NIFC/WildCAD/AirNow