Thursday, July 23, 2026
62.0°F

Brush fire engulfs house in Ephrata

NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 months, 3 weeks AGO
by NANCE BESTON
Staff Writer | September 4, 2025 2:31 PM

EPHRATA – There was a report made of a brush fire in the 2200 block of Basin Street in Ephrata at around 12 p.m. Thursday, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. When crews arrived on scene, it was discovered that there was a house involved in the fire.  

“The one occupant of the house was rescued safely by sheriff’s deputies and Ephrata Police officers,” Foreman said. 

According to radio traffic the individual was transported to Quincy Valley Medical Center to receive further care. Foreman said there aren’t any confirmed injuries or fatalities as yet. More information will be released as crews finish mop up and investigate the scene. 

The blaze also caused traffic to be temporarily rerouted from Basin Street, or State Route 28, according to Ephrata Police Department Chief Erik Koch. However, the road has been re-opened with alternating traffic as of 2 p.m. Thursday.  

“Please drive slowly and carefully, we still have fire personnel working on the fire,” Foreman said.  

The fire is under mop up, which means it’s no longer spreading as of 2 p.m. Thursday. 

“The fire is essentially out, but firefighters are working right now to put out any hot spots,” Foreman said. 

Crews will likely be working on extinguishing the fire for the next handful of hours, he added. 

The home that caught on fire is a total loss, Foreman said. There was one other home that sustained exterior damage due to the heat.  

The responding agencies were Ephrata Fire Department, Grant County Fire District 13, Grant County Fire District 7, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Ephrata Police Department and the Washington Department of Transportation. MACC 911 helped coordinate the response to the fire. 

    The responding agencies to the Thursday wildland fire in Ephrata were Ephrata Fire Department, Grant County Fire District 13, Grant County Fire District 7, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Ephrata Police Department and the Washington Department of Transportation.
 
 


ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON

Grant County Sheriff candidates discuss transparency, trust
July 23, 2026 3:40 a.m.

Grant County Sheriff candidates discuss transparency, trust

EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to submit their primary ballots, three candidates are vying for the position as Grant County Sheriff including incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond.

Grant County Commissioner candidates deliberate fiscal responsibility, budgeting
July 23, 2026 3:05 a.m.

Grant County Commissioner candidates deliberate fiscal responsibility, budgeting

EPHRATA — Four Republicans are seeking election to Grant County Commissioner Position 3 in the upcoming primary: Shannon Durfee, Kelly Raap, Seth Weeks and Janice Flynn. To give voters a clear comparison of the candidates' positions and priorities, each was asked the same set of questions and provided the same deadline to respond. Durfee, Raap and Flynn submitted responses by the deadline; Weeks did not respond.

Sheriff candidates discuss staffing, retention
July 22, 2026 3 a.m.

Sheriff candidates discuss staffing, retention

EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to select their next sheriff, incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond. This installment focuses on one of the most pressing challenges facing law enforcement agencies: recruiting, retaining and supporting qualified staff within the Grant County Sheriff's Office.