UPDATED: Fire prompts evacuations near Ancient Lakes
R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 months AGO
First responders are asking the public to avoid the area around the Ancient Lakes campsites and for campers to leave the area under a Level Three evacuation notice.
COURTESY IMAGE/GOOGLE MAPS
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. | June 1, 2025 2:05 AM
QUINCY – A wildfire has broken out near the Ancient Lakes, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. An evacuation notice has been issued for those at the nearby campsites, and GCSO deputies are visiting campers to inform them that they need to evacuate the area.
Law enforcement and firefighting personnel are asking the public to avoid the area at this time.
The fire is more than 50 acres in size, and unconfirmed reports indicate that it has reached about 100 acres in size.
Foreman said high winds are spreading the fire quickly and making the fire difficult to fight.
Update: June 1, 2025, at 2 a.m.
Campers who wanted to evacuate have left the area. The fire is about 100 acres in size and wind-driven while burning in heavy fuel comprised primarily of sagebrush and grass.
Departments on scene include Grant County Fire District 3, Ephrata Fire Department, Royal Slope Fire and Rescue, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Grant County Sherrif’s Office. MACC 911 is aiding in coordination as needed.
Update: June 1, 2025 at 3 a.m.
Crews have gotten the fire under control per GCSO and the fire’s advance has been stopped at about 200 acres. Firefighters are continuing mop up inside the containment lines of the fire and Bureau of Land Managment crews are managing hot spots. There is no threat to the public at this time.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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.