FIRE REPORT: Four wildfires burning in E. Washington
R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months, 2 weeks AGO
A vew of the Pomas fire from the headwaters of the Entiat River Valley.
COURTESY PHOTO/INCIWEB
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities. | July 18, 2025 1:15 AM
MOSES LAKE — More than 17,000 acres have been impacted by currently active wildfires in Eastern Washington, with another roughly 500-acre blaze burning on the West Side, according to state and federal sources.
Firefighters have made significant progress with some of the fires, with the Greenacres Fire in Okanogan County burning about 921 acres of land, 5 miles north of Omak. The fire is reported at 95% contained and is being transferred to local fire crews, according to a release from the Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team.
“Fire crews made good progress on containing the fire. Fire crews in all divisions focused on mopping up around all structures and securing the fire line. This has led to a containment of 95%,” the NWIIMT statement read.
Since the fire began in early June, 13 structures have been destroyed, including seven homes. It took 156 firefighters and support staff to knock the fire down.
The Hope Fire has burned more than 7,400 acres to date after igniting July 8 about 15 miles north of Kettle Falls. More than 960 firefighters and support personnel are fighting the fire, which is burning in timber, brush and short grass.
Nearly 5,800 acres have burned in the Western Pines Fire, with about 250 people working to fight the fire. It is considered 60% contained and began July 9.
The Pomas Fire continues to burn due north of Leavenworth near the north end of Lake Chelan in rugged terrain, closing portions of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest near the Glacier Peak Wilderness. To date, the fire has burned more than 3,500 acres and firefighters have used about 1.6 million gallons of water and 29,000 gallons of fire retardant to contain it. The Silver Falls, Cottonwood, Lake Creek, Fox Creek, Three Creek, Spruce Grove, North Fork, Snowshoe Spring, Handy Spring, Junior Point, Grouse Mountain and Halfway Springs campgrounds as well as associated or nearby trails, are closed.
Smoke from these and other fires is visible in Grant and Adams counties, but air quality index readings for the area are still in the good range.
ARTICLES BY R. HANS MILLER
Suspect in 2022 murder of Moses Lake woman expected to change plea
EPHRATA — Juan Gastelum, 31, of Hermiston, Ore., the suspect in the March 2022 killing of Yanira Cedillos, is expected to change his current plea of not guilty to a guilty plea. Prosecutors in the case have requested that a plea change hearing be set for March 3, according to court documents.
Counselors help students plan ahead at Ephrata High
EPHRATA — Planning for the future isn’t something freshmen in high school gravitate toward, but the four guidance counselors at Ephrata High School point them in the right direction to get their futures planned.
Multiple projects coming to Ephrata in ‘26
EPHRATA — Multiple civic projects are coming to Ephrata this year as spring starts to waive at us from the not-too-distant future. Park upgrades, sports facility improvements and roadway upgrades are among them, according to Ephrata City Administrator Ray Towry.