UPDATED: Fire prompts evacuations near Ancient Lakes
R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month 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
GCFD 5 responds to fire near Grant Co. Fairgrounds
MOSES LAKE - Grant County Fire District 5 personnel are mopping up the scene of a brush fire just east of the Grant County Fairgrounds.
Koeppen resigning from Grant GOP Chair position
EPHRATA – Grant County Republican Party Central Committee Chair Andrew Koeppen has announced his resignation from his position within the local party effective July 31. Koeppen said he selected that date to ensure that the selection of a new county prosecutor is completed before he leaves his role. “I just want to make sure the whole prosecutor selection (process) is done properly and correctly,” Koeppen said. Koeppen indicated in his letter and by phone that he had concerns about the manner in which the local GOP’s governing board is operating and said by phone that he would like to focus more time on his family and business.
Ephrata High Class of ‘55 celebrates 70 years
EPHRATA - There are 39 “kids” still living from the Ephrata High School Class of 1955, Jerry Pitts said, and he and his classmates still get together as much as they can. This year, 11 Tigers got together from June 13 to 15 to catch up. “We had a three-day meet the 13th, 14th and 15th,” Pitts said. “Of course, the 15th was Father’s Day, and we met at 12 Hawks in Ephrata.”