FIRE REPORT: Sept. 16, 2025
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 3 weeks AGO
The Lower Sugar Loaf Fire, pictured, paired with the Pomas Fire has resulted in Chelan County declaring a State of Emergency. The two fires are burning around 20,000 acres in the county. The Lower Sugarloaf Fire also keeps seeing growth with gains of nearly 3,000 acres since Friday.
COURTESY PHOTO/INCIWEB
MOSES LAKE – Last week, the Chelan County Commissioners declared a State of Emergency for the Lower Sugarloaf and Pomas Fires, which are burning around 20,000 acres. There are several level one “Be Ready,” level two “Get Set,” and level three “Go” evacuations in the county. As a result, the commissioners declared the county a disaster, according to a statement from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
Over the weekend, the Lower Sugarloaf Fire grew nearly 3,000 acres, bringing the blaze up to about 17,000 acres. The Pomas Fire saw little to no growth.
The fires below are burning nearly 100,000 acres across Washington as of Monday afternoon. This is an increase of around 9,000 acres from Friday. The blazes were causing air quality concerns regionally.
Three largest fires:
Rattlesnake Fire: 21,884 acres. 85% contained. Lincoln County. Started Sept. 2. Undetermined cause.
Lower Sugarloaf Fire: 17,298 acres. 11% contained. Chelan County. Started Sept. 1. Lightning-caused.
Crown Creek Fire: 14,190 acres. 30% containment. Stevens County. Started Aug. 29. Lightning-caused.
Other fires:
Bear Gulch Fire: 10,843 acres. 9% contained. Mason County. Started July 6. Human-caused.
Katy Creek Fire: 3,895 acres. 10% contained. Stevens County. Started Aug. 30. Lightning-caused.
Labor Mountain Fire: 4,797 acres. 5% contained. Kittitas County. Started Sept. 1. Lightning-caused.
Lynx Mountain Fire: 7,839 acres. 22% contained. Ferry County. Started Sept. 2. Under investigation.
Martin Fire: 175 acres. 5% contained. Chelan County. Started Aug. 27. Under investigation.
Perry Fire: 1,763 acres. 30% contained. Whatcom County. Started Aug. 27. Under investigation.
Pomas Fire: 3,533 acres. No containment. Chelan County. Started June 13. Lightning-caused.
Red Mountain Fire: 65 acres. No containment. Snohomish County. Started Aug. 28. Unknown cause.
Snow Peak Fire: 754 acres. No containment. Stevens County. Started Sept. 1. Lightning caused.
Sugar Fire: 96 acres. 75% contained. Okanogan County. Started Sept. 6. Unknown cause.
Tacoma Creek Fire: 3,930 acres. 36% contained. Stevens and Pend Oreille counties. Started Sept. 1. Under investigation.
Tunnel Creek Fire: 180 acres. No containment. Jefferson County. Started Sept. 6. Unknown cause.
Wildcat Fire: 8,415 acres. 8% contained. Yakima County. Started Aug. 25. Under investigation.
Air quality:
Air quality labels are decided by the air quality index number. Between zero and 50 is good, 51-100 is moderate, 101-150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 is very unhealthy and above 301 is hazardous.
Ephrata – Monday: good, 18 Air Quality Index. Tuesday: moderate. Wednesday: good. Thursday: good. Friday: moderate.
Moses Lake – Monday: moderate, 68 Air Quality Index. Tuesday: good. Wednesday: good. Thursday: good. Friday: good.
Othello – Monday: good, 19 Air Quality Index. Tuesday: good. Wednesday: good. Thursday: good. Friday: good.
Quincy – Monday: good, 18 Air Quality Index. Tuesday: moderate. Wednesday: good. Thursday: good. Friday: moderate.
Ritzville – Monday: good 24 Air Quality Index. Tuesday: good. Wednesday: good. Thursday: good. Friday: good.
SOURCES: INCIWEB, WATCHDUTY, AIRNOW.
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.”