FIRE REPORT: Two fires sparked in Grant Co., one in Adams
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 6 months AGO
There was a blaze that happened 10 miles outside of Ritzville on Tuesday. The fire ws contained in three hours, despite the winds.
COURTESY PHOTO/ACSO
MOSES LAKE — A fire blazed up in Adams County shortly after noon Tuesday. The fire burned around a 5-mile stretch of land, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and closed at least one lane of I-90. Two older unoccupied buildings were lost to the fire, according to ACSO.
The fire was on Schrag Road and State Route 21, 10 miles outside of Ritzville, resulting in SR21 being closed both ways when the blaze began. The fire was working as it was closer to the east bound lane of I-90 eventually resulting in the lane being closed at around 1:40 p.m. according to the Washington Department of Transportation. The roads were reopened as the fire was contained at around 3:30 p.m.
ASCO believes the fire was started by a farmer mowing.
Adams County Deputies, Adams County Fire, Grant County Fire, four Washington State Troopers and WSDOT responded to the fire.
An hour after the Adams County fire started, a 23-acre fire started in Grant County. The Vernita fire started around 1:10 p.m. Tuesday. No other information was known on the fire by press time.
Another fire sparked up shortly before 4 p.m. in Grant County, near Royal City on Lower Crab Creek Road southwest and Road E southwest. The Lower Crab Fire was sitting at 5 acres with no containment as of 6 p.m. Tuesday. No other information was known about the fire by press time.
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. 414 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.
Other fires:
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.
Flat Creek Fire — 43 acres. 0% contained. Started on Friday. Located in Chelan County, near Flat Creek. Crew size not specified.
Jupiter Fire/2620 Road Fire — 398 acres. 93% contained. Started 5 p.m. Wednesday. Located west of Brinnon. 252 personnel.
Kachess Complex — consists of three fires. Stave Creek Fire: 12.1 acres, 35% contained. Thomas Fire: 9 acres, 95% contained. Waptus fire 0.5 acres, 100% contained. Started on Aug. 9. Located in the Cle Elum Ranger District of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. 155 personnel.
Lodgepole Fire — 35 acres. 6% contained. Started at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 12. Located 16 miles west of Cliffdell. 8 personnel on fire.
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 — 189 acres. 0% containment. Began on July 18. Located 1 mile east of Mineral Park. 15 personnel.
Ruby Fire — 959 acres. 0% containment. Began 7 a.m. Friday. Located in Whatcom County. 72 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. 44 personnel.
Williams Mine Fire — 11,778 acres. 31% contained. Started noon Aug. 5. Located near Mount Adams Wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 234 personnel.
Upper Ruby Fire — 282 acres. 31% contained. Started 3:55 p.m. Tuesday. Located between Ruby Creek and Brown’s Lake. 228 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
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Soap Lake council tables tourism committee plan, debates planning services
SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake City Council approved several administrative resolutions Wednesday but postponed decisions on tourism funding and planning services after an hours‑long discussion over staffing, contracts and oversight.
Soap Lake council unanimously votes no-confidence in Mayor Sharp
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed a vote of no-confidence against Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday evening, taking effect immediately after passage. Councilmember Kayleen Bryson read the resolution as the only comment on the matter. Sharp did not comment during the meeting.
Measles reported in Grant County
EPHRATA — Grant County health officials are urging families to check their vaccination records after two unvaccinated children in the same household tested positive for measles, marking the county’s first confirmed infections of 2026. Grant County Health District said it was notified on March 17 that both children, who were recently exposed during international travel, had contracted the virus. One child was briefly hospitalized; both are now recovering at home. Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny said the cases underscore how quickly measles can spread — and how effectively it can be prevented.