Second brush fire ignites in Beaumont, 2 acres burnt
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months AGO
MOSES LAKE – A second brush fire ignited Monday evening along Beaumont Avenue, following a weekend blaze in the same area. The latest fire, which burned approximately 2 acres, was reported at 5 p.m. behind the 1600 block of Beaumont Avenue.
Battalion Chief David Holle of the Moses Lake Fire Department noted that light winds fueled the flames, which primarily consumed sagebrush.
Fire crews successfully directed the fire's progression towards the lake to prevent it from threatening nearby residential properties. No injuries or property damage have been reported as a result of either fire. Crews remained on the scene until early evening to ensure that all hot spots were fully extinguished.
The Moses Lake Fire Department dispatched 12 personnel, three wildland engines, two structure engines, and support units from Grant County Fire District No. 5. The cause of both brush fires remains undetermined.
Other fires:
Bear Gulch Fire: 4,936 acres. 3% contained. Started July 6. Mason County. Human-caused.
Beer Creek II Fire: 250 acres. No containment. Started Aug. 2. Ferry County. Under investigation.
Brooks Tract Fire: 60 acres. No containment. Started Aug. 3. Okanogan County. Under investigation.
Burdoin Fire: 10,675 acres. 94% contained. Started July 18. Klickitat County. Undetermined cause.
Castle Rock Fire: 58 acres. 20% contained. Started July 31. Stevens County. Lightning caused.
Edern Fire: 78 acres. No containment. Started July 31. Okanogan County. Under investigation.
Hamma Fire: 66.2 acres. 95% contained. Started July 27. Mason County. Under investigation.
Hope Fire: 8,177 acres. 95% contained. Started July 8. Stevens County. Under investigation.
Kinkaid Creek Complex Fire: 313 acres. 18% contained. Started July 31. Okanogan County. Lightning caused.
Pomas Fire: 3,465 acres. No containment. Started June 13. Chelan County. Lightning caused.
Siwash Fire: 361.6 acres. No containment. Started July 13. Okanogan County. Under investigation.
South Nanamkin Fire: 92 acres. No containment. Started Aug. 1. Ferry County. Under investigation.
Air quality:
Ephrata: Good, 47 Air Quality Index.
Moses Lake: Moderate, 57 Air Quality Index.
Othello: Moderate, 55 Air Quality Index.
Quincy: Moderate, 85 Air Quality Index.
SOURCES: INCIWEB, WATCHDUTY, AIRNOW.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Mayor Peter Sharp takes oath of office
SOAP LAKE – Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess adminstered the oath of office to Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday. Sharp was previously appointed to this role at the Sept. 18, 2024, council meeting after his predecessor Allen DuPay quit during the Aug. 7, 2024, meeting.
Newhouse, colleagues introduce infrastructure bill
WASHINGTON D.C. — On November 21, 2025, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers introduced the Urban Canal Modernization Act, HR 6279, aimed at addressing the deteriorating condition of urban canal infrastructure across the country. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Dan Newhouse, R-WA; Mike Simpson, R-ID; Adam Gray, D-CA; and Russ Fulcher, R-ID focuses on providing federal support for the extraordinary operation and maintenance of urban canals deemed to be at significant risk of failure. “As communities in Grant County and elsewhere face serious risks from aging canal systems, it is imperative that we act now to ensure vital water infrastructure is maintained and upgraded,” Newhouse wrote in a statement. “The Bureau of Reclamation’s canals are in dire need of repairs, and the surrounding communities who rely on them would be at risk if they were to fail. This legislation provides local authorities with additional resources to manage these critical pieces of infrastructure while protecting the people and property around canals of concern.”
Ephrata water tower waiting for final tests
EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata is still waiting for the final testing to come back to the water tower. The city had originally hoped the tower would be connected to the water system by Thanksgiving; however, the intensive water testing is taking longer than anticipated.