Fire scorches around 10 acres near Wilson Creek
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months AGO
A Grant County Fire District 12 truck works on putting out hot spots near Wilson Creek Monday.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
A Grant County Public Utility District lineman checks one of the power lines Monday near the fire on Stratford Road.
Crews from Grant County Fire District 5 work on mopping up the fire on Monday. There were 14 units with 22 personnel to control the blaze.
Grant County Fire District 12 mops up sagebrush and grass Monday after a fire started in the 19000 block of Stratford Road.
WILSON CREEK – On Monday at around 2 p.m., Grant County Fire District 12 was paged out to a brush fire in the 19000 block of Stratford Road.
According to GCFD12 Chief Scott Mortimer, the cause of the fire is undetermined. The fire burnt around 10 acres of grass and sagebrush, Mortimer said.
“The heavy sage brush needed a little more attention,” Mortimer said.
Mortimer said GCFD12 received help from both Grant County Public Utility District and Grant County Fire District 5.
“I was very pleased,” Mortimer said. “We had 14 units with 22 personnel respond, plus Grant PUD because it was very close to the line – they sent three units to assist in the initial lockdown.”
Mortimer said Grant PUD came out to make sure power lines were not damaged by flames and to ensure that there was no power lost to nearby residents.
He said there were no structures damaged by the fire and no injuries occurred.
Other fires in Washington as of Tuesday:
Sources: InciWeb, WatchDuty.
Barker Canyon Fire: 90 acres. No containment. Located in Douglas and Grant Counties, near Banks Lake. Started July 20. The cause is under investigation.
Bear Gulch Fire: 762 acres. 19% contained. Located 10 miles northwest of Hoodsport. Started July 6. The fire was human-caused.
Burdoin Fire: 10,973 acres. No containment. Located in Klickitat County and Oregon. Started July 18. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Hope Fire: 7,891 acres. 55% contained. Located 15 miles north of Kettle Falls. Started July 8. The cause is under investigation.
Lake Spokane Fire: 2,338 acres. 16% contained. Located in Stevens County. Started July 19. The cause is under investigation.
Pomas Fire: 3,429 acres. No containment. Located 36 miles northwest of Entiat. Started June 13. The cause of the fire was lightning.
Toonerville Fire: 85 acres. 80% contained. Located in Mason County. Started July 8. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A Grant County Public Utility District lineman checks one of the power lines Monday near the fire on Stratford Road.
Crews from Grant County Fire District 5 work on mopping up the fire on Monday. There were 14 units with 22 personnel to control the blaze.
Grant County Fire District 12 mops up sagebrush and grass Monday after a fire started in the 19000 block of Stratford Road.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.