FIRE REPORT: Oct. 3, 2025
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 1 week AGO
The Rattlesnake Fire has been scorching Washington terrain since Sept. 1; however, it is now 96% contained with no further updates. The blaze burned around 22,000 acres.
COURTESY PHOTO/INCIWEB
MOSES LAKE — Three larger fires were mostly contained this week with no further updates to be provided. There are around 132,000 acres actively burning in Washington as of Thursday afternoon, around 35,000 fewer than Monday.
The Rattlesnake Fire, formerly the third-largest fire in the state at around 22,000 acres, is now 96% contained.
The Crown Creek Fire, scorching around 14,000 acres, is now 93% contained. The Katy Creek Fire, burning nearly 5,000 acres, is 98% contained.
These fires were causing air quality concerns regionally. As the Columbia Basin goes into the work week, there are several cities where the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups Monday and Tuesday.
Three largest fires:
Lower Sugarloaf: 39,594 acres. 48% contained. Chelan County. Started Sept. 1. Lightning-caused.
Labor Mountain: 37,239 acres. 7% contained. Kittitas County. Started Sept. 1. Lightning-caused
Bear Gulch: 20,185 acres. 5% contained. Mason County. Started July 6. Human-caused.
Other fires:
Lynx Mountain: 9,201 acres. 63% contained. Ferry County. Started Sept. 2. Under investigation.
Martin: 388 acres. 67% contained. Chelan County. Started Aug. 27. Under investigation.
Perry: 1,772 acres. 61% contained. Whatcom County. Started Aug. 27. Under investigation.
Pomas: 3,618 acres. 60% contained. Chelan County. Started June 13. Lightning-caused.
Snow Peak: 1,147 acres. No containment. Stevens County. Started Sept. 1. Lightning caused.
Tacoma Creek: 3,961 acres. 90% contained. Stevens and Pend Oreille counties. Started Sept. 1. Under investigation.
Tunnel Creek: 581 acres. No containment. Jefferson County. Started Sept. 6. Unknown cause.
Wildcat: 14,316 acres. 5% contained. Yakima County. Started Aug. 25. Under investigation.
Air quality:
To look at the current air quality in the area, visit AirNow.gov. Air quality labels are decided by the air quality index number. The Columbia Basin is starting to see an improvement in air quality with most areas having good or moderate air quality.
Ephrata – Thursday: good. Friday: moderate. Saturday: moderate. Sunday: moderate. Monday: moderate.
Moses Lake – Thursday: good. Friday: good. Saturday: good. Sunday: good. Monday: good.
Othello – Thursday: good. Friday: good. Saturday: good. Sunday: good. Monday: good.
Quincy – Thursday: good. Friday: moderate. Saturday: moderate. Sunday: moderate. Monday: moderate.
Ritzville – Thursday: good. Friday: good. Saturday: good. Sunday: good. Monday: good.
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.”