RITZVILLE — As of 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, state-mobilization resources took command of the Schrag road fire and will remain on the scene for the rest of the day for mop-up as needed, according to Adams County Fire District 2. 

The Schrag Road Fire began near Ritzville shortly after noon Tuesday. According to the Adam's County Sheriff's Office, the fire burned a 5-mile stretch of land and leveled two older unoccupied buildings. ASCO believes a farmer mowing started the fire.  

Responding agencies include: Adams County Fire District 1, Adams County Fire District 7, Adams County Fire District 6, Odessa Fire Department, Grant County Fire District 4, Grant County Fire District 8, Ephrata Fire Department, Grant County Fire District 5, City of Moses Lake Fire Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Adam County Public Works, Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Patrol, Adam County Dispatchers and all of the area farmers who brought water tenders and disc plows.  

The statement from ACFD2 says there was another wildfire Tuesday near US 395 at milepost 64 in which Adams County Fire District 5 and Franklin County Fire District 1 handled.  

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 — Washinton’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 Wednesday: 

Sunshine Fire — 10 acres. 0% containment. Started 2 p.m. Wednesday. Located in Chelan county near Sunshine Canyon. No information on personnel.

Four new fires contained Wednesday: 

Jupiter Fire/2620 Road Fire — 398 acres. 100% contained. Started 5 p.m. Aug. 21. Was located west of Brinnon.  

Lower Crab Fire — 5 acres. 100% contained. Started 5 p.m. Tuesday. Located in Grant County near Royal City.  

Schrag Road Fire — Described above.

Vernita Fire — 23 acres. 100% contained. Started 1:10 p.m. Tuesday. Located in Grant County near Vernita Bridge.

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. 

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. 74 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 — 11,778 acres. 31% contained. Started noon Aug. 5. Located near Mount Adams Wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 161 personnel.

Upper Ruby Fire — 280 acres. 39% contained. Started 3:55 p.m. Tuesday. Located between Ruby Creek and Brown’s Lake. 262 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 Wednesday for the Columbia Basin.  

SOURCES: InciWeb/NIFC/WildCAD/AirNow     

    While various fire districts were dealing with the Schrag Road Fire, Fire District 5 and Franklin County Fire District 1 handled another wildfire in Adams Co near US 395.