Thursday, July 23, 2026
62.0°F

FIRE REPORT: Blewett Fire closes U.S. 97

NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 10 months AGO
by NANCE BESTON
Staff Writer | September 5, 2024 2:50 AM

MOSES LAKE — Fires throughout Washington continue to burn and one new fire began Wednesday, though they were relatively small as of press time. The Blewett Fire closed U.S. 97 Wednesday afternoon, despite being only 15 acres.  The blaze was uncontained as of press time, and had started shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday. 

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. 


One new fire contained: 

Cimarron Fire — 25 acres. 100% containment. Started Monday. Located outside of Spokane.  


Other fires:     

Rennie Creek Fire — 48.5 acres. 0% containment. Started Aug. 17 however it spread to over 10 acres today. Located in Chelan County.  

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.   

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 — 211 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. 55 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 — 12,161 acres. 31% contained. Started noon Aug. 5. Located near Mount Adams Wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 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 Wednesday for the Columbia Basin.  

SOURCES: InciWeb/NIFC/WildCAD/AirNow     



 



 


ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON

Grant County Sheriff candidates discuss transparency, trust
July 23, 2026 3:40 a.m.

Grant County Sheriff candidates discuss transparency, trust

EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to submit their primary ballots, three candidates are vying for the position as Grant County Sheriff including incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond.

Grant County Commissioner candidates deliberate fiscal responsibility, budgeting
July 23, 2026 3:05 a.m.

Grant County Commissioner candidates deliberate fiscal responsibility, budgeting

EPHRATA — Four Republicans are seeking election to Grant County Commissioner Position 3 in the upcoming primary: Shannon Durfee, Kelly Raap, Seth Weeks and Janice Flynn. To give voters a clear comparison of the candidates' positions and priorities, each was asked the same set of questions and provided the same deadline to respond. Durfee, Raap and Flynn submitted responses by the deadline; Weeks did not respond.

Sheriff candidates discuss staffing, retention
July 22, 2026 3 a.m.

Sheriff candidates discuss staffing, retention

EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to select their next sheriff, incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond. This installment focuses on one of the most pressing challenges facing law enforcement agencies: recruiting, retaining and supporting qualified staff within the Grant County Sheriff's Office.