Fire near Ephrata burns three acres
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 1 month AGO
Fire crews from Grant County Fire District 13 and Grant County Fire District 3 mop up the scene of a three-acre fire between Quincy and Ephrata Thursday.
R. HANS MILLER/COLUMBIABASINHERALD
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | July 12, 2025 1:53 PM
EPHRATA — A fire along State Route 283 briefly closed the highway Thursday afternoon.
The fire originated near the intersection of SR 283 and Road 10 Northwest at about 5:50 p.m., according to a Grant County Fire District 13 release. The fire burned about 3 acres.
"We were able to keep it contained to about 3 acres,” the release said. “This is a good reminder that we are in fire season, and to use extreme caution with anything that can start a fire.”
Traffic along SR 283 was restricted for about 20 minutes due to smoke conditions and to allow firefighters to work the fire scene, the release said.
Firefighters from GCFD 13 and Grant County Fire District 3 responded to the fire, which burned along the SR 28 shoulder. Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee said drivers, too, should take precautions to avoid starting a fire.
“Make sure all your towing equipment is secured and not dragging,” Durfee said.
Dragging chains sparking from towing setups are regular causes of fires starting in the area, first responders have regularly told Columbia Basin Herald reporters.
If people think there’s a fire, they should report it, he said - and should report it right away.
“Don’t assume that somebody else called it in,” he said.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road projects on hold for Labor Day weekend
MOSES LAKE — With Labor Day weekend dead ahead, drivers will be able to move freely about the state. Most road projects are on hold for the holiday weekend. Nobody will be working on the Hansen Road overpass on Interstate 90, but the lane restrictions that are in effect will continue through the end of the project.
Cost estimates for water source alternatives given to Moses Lake City Council
Protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, efforts are ongoing to keep it self-sufficient
MOSES LAKE — It’s going to cost a lot of money to provide alternative water sources for the city of Moses Lake, but some of the possible alternatives will cost more than others. City officials provided the Moses Lake City Council with costs for various alternatives Tuesday.
Dryer vent cleaning is important -- but often overlooked
MOSES LAKE — Not all the maintenance a house needs is visible. Sometimes a potential problem just goes unnoticed until it causes trouble, sometimes serious trouble. But a lot of potential problems give off warning signs. Clothes dryers often do when they need a good cleaning.