FIRE REPORT: Four MLFD firefighters badged, statewide fires continue burning
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 6 months AGO
From left to right: Zachary Feist, Joshua Bollinger, Nathan Aamold and Christopher Gonzalez Rice all received their badges after completing their first year at the Moses Lake Fire Department last week.
MLFD PHOTO
MOSES LAKE — Four probationary firefighters at Moses Lake Fire Department have received their official firefighter badges after completing their first year at the department, according to an MLFD press release.
The four firefighters, Zachary Feist, Joshua Bollinger, Nathan Aamold and Cristopher Gonzalez Rice, are part of the B fire crew at MLFD.
The statement says they have been incredible additions to the department, and they bring and bring many years of experience and diverse skills to the crew. The department says they are proud of the hard work the new team members have displayed in both preparing for their careers in fire service and in their probationary year.
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 were contained or started Saturday.
Other fires:
Blewett Fire – 17 acres. 0% containment. Started 2:23 p.m. Wednesday. Near US 97 Blewett Pass.
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.
Huckleberry Ridge Fire – 343 acres. 0% containment. Started Sept. 2. Located in Spokane County. 343 personnel.
Lodgepole Fire – 35 acres. 6% contained. Started at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 12. Located 16 miles west of Cliffdell. 8 personnel.
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.
Rennie Creek Fire – 100 acres. 0% containment. Started on Aug. 17. Located in Chelan County. No information on fire crew.
Ruby Fire – 1,216 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 – 13,049 acres. 31% contained. Started noon Aug. 5. Located near Mount Adams Wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 174 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 Saturday 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.