Blaze should be contained by tonight

MAR DON - A wildfire grew to roughly 3,150 acres since it started Sunday near the O'Sullivan Dam, about 12 miles southwest of Moses Lake.

The blaze was about 70 percent contained, said Paula Cal on Monday, a spokesperson with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife. The fire should be totally contained by tonight, she added.

Call said the burned land was "very nice shrub steppe habitat" that included sage brush and bunch grasses.

The fire was believed to have been started by people firing tracer rounds.

About 1,200 acres of the burned area is controlled by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, a small portion of the land belongs to Grant County and the remaining property is federal fish and wildlife property, she said.

The Soda Lake campground was evacuated along Morgan Lake Road on Sunday she said. About eight groups were just settling in when they were asked to leave because of the fire.

About 160 firefighters worked at the fire scene Monday from Grant County Fire Districts 4, 5, and 11, Adams County Fire District No. 5, Franklin County Fire District No. 3, Walla Walla Fire District No. 5, Benton County Fire District No. 1 and the City of Richland, she said.

Morgan Lake Road and Road H Southeast were closed Monday until further notice. Both roads are between state Route 262 and McManamon Road.

Drivers are asked to be aware of fire equipment in the area.