Washington fire update for July 6
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 10 months AGO
A home in the Othello area was destroyed early Wednesday morning by a fire resulting from fireworks that had been disposed of improperly, according to Adams county Fire District No. 5.
COURTESY PHOTO/ADAMS OUNTY FIRE DISTRICT NO. 5
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | July 5, 2023 5:48 PM
OTHELLO — An Othello-area home was completely destroyed by fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to a statement from Adams County Fire District 5. Two vehicles were also destroyed, but all occupants got out of the house safely. The investigation determined that the cause of the fire was fireworks that had been collected and placed in a trash can.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the McEwan Fire currently burning about three miles northeast of Shelton, according to a FEMA statement.
At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the community of Shelton. The fire also threatened highways, local ancillary roads, Mason County PUD infrastructure, Bonneville Power Administration transmission lines, Burlington-Santa Fe rail lines, communications towers, parks and hiking trails, as well as numerous businesses contributing to the manufacturing, mining and agricultural industries, according to the statement. The fire, which was discovered Tuesday, had burned 250 acres as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Roza Creek wildfire, located above the Yakima River Canyon between Yakima and Ellensburg, had burned about 486 acres as of Friday afternoon, according to a statement from the Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team. The fire is currently 70% contained and no structures are threatened.
These wildfires were also burning in Washington as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Interagency Fire Center and the NOAA Office of Satellite and Product Operations:
• 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.
• Charles, about 17 miles northwest of Spokane: 12.3 acres. Fire discovered June 29. Containment information not available.
• Beehive, about 15 miles northeast of Omak: 27 acres. Fire discovered June 28. Containment information not available.
• Gold Mountain Ridge, about 12 miles northeast of Keller: 30 acres. Fire discovered June 29. 60% contained.
• Little River Road, about five miles south of Port Angeles: 1 acre. Fire discovered July 5. Containment information not available.
• 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: 4 acres. Fire discovered July 5. Containment information not available.
• Ike, just north of Mossyrock: 2 acres. Fire discovered July 2. Containment information not available.
• Tunnel Five, about four miles west of White Salmon: 546 acres. Fire discovered July 2. 5% containment.
• Pine Spring, about 10 miles west of Cheney: 29.5 acres. Fire discovered July 2. Containment information not available.
• Selah Cliffs, about six miles northeast of Selah: 200 acres. Fire discovered July 5. Containment information not available.
Joel Martin may be reached at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.
MORE STORIES
Othello fire deemed arson, other fires continue statewide
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 1 year, 9 months ago
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Raising a glass
Moore Brewing celebrates a year in business
MOSES LAKE — Moore Brewing Company hit a big milestone this week. The brewery and pub opened last May in the building formerly known as Broadway Bar & Grill, the Mighty Quinn, Barney Google’s or the Southshore Restaurant, depending on how far back you remember. Its first birthday celebrations included live music, a ribbon-cutting, crafts and a birthday party for co-owner Chris Moore, wrapping up with two comedy shows by Tanyalee Davis. It’s been an educational year, said Lorie Moore, Chris’ wife and co-owner of the brewery.
Lake water improvement may not affect housing
MOSES LAKE — Owners of homes along the shore of Moses Lake may see an improvement in the view from their docks after treatment the water received last summer.
Bigger every year
Moses Lake Spring Fest to dominate Memorial Day weekend
MOSES LAKE — The biggest celebration in Moses Lake’s calendar just keeps getting bigger. Tens of thousands came to McCosh Park for Spring Fest last year. The 3-on-3 basketball tournament fielded 121 teams and there were 472 people at the fun run, said Spring Fest Committee Member Lori Valdez. “The car show had over 200 cars, and they ran out of room,” Valdez said. “They had to turn cars away.”