Saturday, April 11, 2026
44.0°F

FIRE REPORT: 1,600 acres burned in Adams Co.

NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 7 months AGO
by NANCE BESTON
Staff Writer | August 30, 2024 1:20 AM

RITZVILLE — The Schrag Road Fire began at around 12:19 p.m. Tuesday. The fire burned 1,600 acres according to NIFC. It also leveled two older unopposed buildings, according to the Adam’s County Sheriff’s Office. ASCO believes the fire was started by a farmer mowing.


The Big Bend Electric Cooperative spent all of Wednesday replacing burned poles and restoring power to people after the brush fire. 


Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner released a statement Thursday morning thanking everyone who helped extinguish the fire.


“Your dedication and hard work are truly commendable,” Wagner said in the release.


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 – WA’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 – WA’s third-largest fire. 24,091 acres. 80% contained. Blazed up at 8 p.m. July 15. Located south of Walla Walla. 226 personnel. 


No new fires started Thursday. 


One new fire contained Thursday: 


Flat Creek Fire – 43 acres. 100% contained. Started Aug. 2. Located in Chelan County, near Flat Creek.


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.


Kachess Complex – consists of three fires. Stave Creek Fire: 12 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. on 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. 80 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.


Sunshine Fire – 10 acres. 0% containment. Started 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. Located in Chelan county near sunshine canyon. No information on personnel.


Williams Mine Fire – 11,778 acres. 31% contained. Started noon Aug. 5. Located near Mount Adams Wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 154 personnel.


Upper Ruby Fire – 280 acres. 53% contained. Started 3:55 p.m. Tuesday. Located between Ruby Creek and Brown’s Lake. 257 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

1 arrested after Highway 17 stop; detectives recover fentanyl, firearms
April 10, 2026 12:13 p.m.

1 arrested after Highway 17 stop; detectives recover fentanyl, firearms

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Street Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop on Highway 17 near Randolph Road and executed a search warrant Friday morning as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

4th-year drought declaration in WA, subtle effects in the Columbia Basin
April 9, 2026 5:32 p.m.

4th-year drought declaration in WA, subtle effects in the Columbia Basin

EPHRATA — Washington’s fourth straight year of drought is expected to hit some regions hard, but in Grant and Adams counties, the impacts will look different – quieter, less visible and centered underground. Statewide, the Department of Ecology issued an emergency drought declaration after a warm winter left Washington with about half its usual snowpack, raising concerns about low summer streamflows, stressed fish populations and heightened wildfire risk. Seven of the past 10 years have included drought somewhere in the state. “If you look at our mountains, the challenge we are facing is clear,” Gov. Bob Ferguson said during a press conference Wednesday. “We’re taking emergency action to protect fish, farmers and communities across Washington.”

Sleep Diagnostic Center to close after doctor’s sentencing
April 9, 2026 3:15 a.m.

Sleep Diagnostic Center to close after doctor’s sentencing

MOSES LAKE — The Central Washington Sleep Diagnostic Center announced it will be closing its doors effective April 30. This includes locations in Moses Lake, Spokane Valley, Brewster and Wenatchee. The announcement follows the March 25 guilty plea from Dr. Eric Edward Haeger, 57, in United States District Court to adulterating and misbranding medical devices with the intent to defraud or mislead, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “The adulterations by Dr Haeger show a dangerous disregard for the safety of his patients,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement. “This is a win for patient safety, for protecting public dollars from fraud, and for ensuring citizens of Washington get necessary healthcare. This case exemplifies the great work our team is doing in collaboration with our federal partners to fight fraud and protect Washingtonians.”