MLFD puts out small brush fire Saturday
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 2 weeks AGO
A small brush fire flared up on South Beaumont Drive Saturday evening.
COURTESY PHOTO/MLFD
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | August 4, 2025 7:27 PM
MOSES LAKE — A small brush fire lit up the sky Saturday night, but was quickly extinguished, according to a statement from the city of Moses Lake.
Moses Lake Fire Department units responded at about 9:30 p.m. to a report of a fire in the 1600 block of Beaumont Drive, near the lake shore, according to the statement. Fire units arrived to find a half-acre fire, moving slowly, burning in the sagebrush. Firefighters quickly brought the flames under control. Units were on scene for just over an hour to completely cool any hot spots that remained, according to Battalion Chief David Holle.
The response included two brush engines, one structure engine, one 2,000-gallon support tender and one command unit, according to the statement.
The cause of the fire was undetermined.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
‘Our favorite time of year’
Shop with a Cop brings smiles to both children and officers
MOSES LAKE — The heavy police presence outside local stores recently wasn’t because of a crime wave. It was police officers engaging in their favorite annual event. “This is one of those times throughout the year that we don't have to go and ask for volunteers to help,” said Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands. “The first day we put it out, I think we got 20-some people say ‘Yeah, we’re in.’ That's just under half the department right away.“
BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and a lot of people will be spending time at home with their families or at the church of their choice. Still, there are a few things happening around the Basin. Here are some ideas:
Chimney maintenance is essential for safety
MOSES LAKE — With Christmas just around the corner, lots of folks are using their fireplaces for warmth, roasting chestnuts or just a pleasant atmosphere. But before Santa pays your chimney a visit, you should make sure it’s in good working order. Chimney fires are responsible for more than three-fourths of residential building heating fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Regular inspections and cleaning are the best way to prevent that, said Michael Harper, known as The Chimney Guy. “If they’re using (the fireplace) aesthetically – date night, Christmas, New Year’s, show-off times, something in the background here and there, (they should) have it inspected once a year for peace of mind,” Harper said. “If they’re using it two to three days a week religiously through the winter months, they need to have it cleaned once a year.”