FIRE REPORT: MLFD has a busy weekend, fire in Soap Lake area closes highway. 28

LAKE MOSES — Moses Lake Fire Department personnel said it was a busy weekend on both the fire and medical sides over the past few days. Grant County Fire District 7 also responded to a fire that forced the closure of Highway 28 for a time Sunday.

“We were incredibly busy this weekend,” said Heather Kok, MLFD public information officer.

The busy weekend started with a fire in the northeast corner of the intersection of W. Lakeshore Drive, near the lake behind the Best Western Plus Lake Front Hotel, Kok said. The fire appeared to be a fire started by those staying at a small homeless camp who had started the fire to keep the fire warm. Several trucks intervened and the fire was quickly extinguished. However, MLFD personnel had to respond to a second fire at the same location on Sunday.

Kok said the weekend is a trend, with June so far seeing about 15% more calls in 2024, compared to the same point in June last year.

Contributing factors include heat contributing to conditions leading to fires and people's lack of caution during increased heat conditions, leading to heat exposure issues and more frequent EMS calls. The department has also seen an increase in complaints about fires being set.

Although a general burning ban is in effect in Grant County, contained fires are legal on private property provided they are contained, at least 25 feet from any structure and water is available to put out the fire if necessary.

Anyone with questions about whether it is safe to burn should contact their local fire department, police department or sheriff's office.

To avoid heat injuries, Kok advised avoiding the heat between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., the two hottest times of the day, especially if temperatures are above 90 degrees. Drinking water, using sunscreen, and staying in the shade are also good ideas. If a person stops feeling thirsty, stops sweating or shows other signs of dehydration, Kok said they should immediately seek shade or another cool place and start drinking water to rehydrate. .

Late Sunday morning, Grant County Fire District 7 responded to a brush fire at the intersection of Highway 28 and Highway A, just east of Soap Lake. When first responders arrived, approximately two acres were burning with easily combustible fuels and in danger of crossing the highway. To ensure the safety of drivers, the highway was closed while the fire was contained, according to a GCFD 7 news release.

Four brush cutters trucks and assistance from the Ephrata Fire Department, Grant County Fire Districts 12 and 13, were mobilized to fight the fire due to Red Flag Warning conditions, adding to the danger posed by the fire.

The cause of the fire was identified and the Grant County Sheriff's Department was alerted to assist in the investigation. The property owner was cited for reckless burning.

The fire grew to 8.3 acres before it was extinguished, according to the GCFD 7 release.

Several large fires are burning in Washington, although none of them were in Grant County at the time this report was finalized.

The Slide Ranch Fire, about 4 miles south of White Swan, burned about 3,100 acres, destroyed 17 homes and damaged 10 others. The fire also threatens 25 additional homes as it burns grass and wood. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, it was about 20% contained.

The Pioneer Fire in Chelan County, on the northeast shore of Lake Chelan, grew to approximately 4,600 acres after being discovered on June 8. The fire is burning grass and wood and threatens 280 residences and 19 minor structures. One minor structure has already been destroyed according to NIFC. The wildfire was 0% contained as of late Monday afternoon.

The Gold Creek Fire, located about 3 miles south of Carlton, was reported shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday and had burned about 100 acres by Monday morning. The area spanned more than 220 acres as of 6 p.m. Monday. A Level 2 evacuation order was in effect for the area. A news release from the Department of Natural Resources said four crews, four engines, a bulldozer, two water boats, two helicopters and other resources were used to contain the fire. The wildfire was 0% contained as of 6 p.m. Monday.

A. Hans “Rob” Miller can be reached at [email protected].