FIRE REPORT: Oct. 3, 2025
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 2 weeks 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
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.