Two fires in the Basin over the weekend
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 2 weeks AGO
On Sunday, Adams County Fire District 2 was called to a fire near Lind that quickly grew to around 200 acres. Wind combined with uncut wheat allowed for the flames to spread fast, according to ACFD 2 Chief Eric Labes.
COURTESY PHOTO/ACFD 2
Level Three “Go” evacuations were established Sunday after a 200-acre fire started near Lind. After a couple of hours, the fire was contained, and evacuations were lifted.
WILSON CREEK — Two small fires happened over the weekend, with one fire Saturday on Road O Northeast and Road 30 Northeast between Wilson Creek and Coulee City and another near Sunday near Lind.
According to Grant County Fire District 12 Chief Scott Mortimer, the Road O fire burned around three acres and began in the afternoon with crews on site until around 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
“No injuries or damages, only dryland pasture, a very small amount of wheat stubble,” Mortimer said.
Mortimer said the fire was caused by a loose piece of hay tarp that blew into Grant County Public Utility District lines and ignited.
“Pick up your hay tarps; they are a huge fire risk,” Mortimer said.
The next day, at around 11 a.m., Adams County Fire District 2 was called to the scene of a stubble and uncut wheat fire south of Lind. Level three “Go” evacuations were placed on two houses located north of Hatton Road.
The fire burned around 200 acres, according to ACFD 2 Chief Eric Labes.
“It was a bigger fire, decent-sized,” Labes said.
According to Labes, crews worked in the heavy smoke and extreme heat to halt the spread to protect homes and further acreage loss. By around 12:30 p.m., the fire was contained, and mop-up began. Evacuations were lifted shortly after. No structures were damaged, and nobody was injured.
“ACFD 2 maintained operational control and carefully assessed the situation before calling for mutual aid,” said a statement from the department. “Our priority remained clear: deploy the right resources, at the right time, in the right way.”
Labes said he was proud of his department for the quick response time and getting a containment on the fire as quickly as they could.
ACFD 2 received mutual aid from Adams County Fire District 7, Franklin County Fire District 7, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, East Adams EMS, Adams County Fire Protection 6, Franklin County Fire District 2 and area farmers.
“We appreciate when we call for mutual aid how fast our neighboring departments show up and are willing to help out,” Labes said.
Level Three “Go” evacuations were established Sunday after a 200-acre fire started near Lind. After a couple of hours, the fire was contained, and evacuations were lifted.ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
1 arrested after Highway 17 stop; detectives recover fentanyl, firearms
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Street Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop on Highway 17 near Randolph Road and executed a search warrant Friday morning as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
4th-year drought declaration in WA, subtle effects in the Columbia Basin
EPHRATA — Washington’s fourth straight year of drought is expected to hit some regions hard, but in Grant and Adams counties, the impacts will look different – quieter, less visible and centered underground. Statewide, the Department of Ecology issued an emergency drought declaration after a warm winter left Washington with about half its usual snowpack, raising concerns about low summer streamflows, stressed fish populations and heightened wildfire risk. Seven of the past 10 years have included drought somewhere in the state. “If you look at our mountains, the challenge we are facing is clear,” Gov. Bob Ferguson said during a press conference Wednesday. “We’re taking emergency action to protect fish, farmers and communities across Washington.”
Sleep Diagnostic Center to close after doctor’s sentencing
MOSES LAKE — The Central Washington Sleep Diagnostic Center announced it will be closing its doors effective April 30. This includes locations in Moses Lake, Spokane Valley, Brewster and Wenatchee. The announcement follows the March 25 guilty plea from Dr. Eric Edward Haeger, 57, in United States District Court to adulterating and misbranding medical devices with the intent to defraud or mislead, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “The adulterations by Dr Haeger show a dangerous disregard for the safety of his patients,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement. “This is a win for patient safety, for protecting public dollars from fraud, and for ensuring citizens of Washington get necessary healthcare. This case exemplifies the great work our team is doing in collaboration with our federal partners to fight fraud and protect Washingtonians.”