MOSES LAKE — The fires below were burning and causing smoke and air quality concerns regionally as of Thursday afternoon. 

4170 Tule Rd Fire: 23,499 acres. 50% contained. Yakima County. Started June 14. Unknown cause.  

Juniper Dunes Fire: 13,000 acres. 50% contained. Franklin County. Started June 13. Unknown cause. 

Kartar Fire: 7,500 acres. No containment. Okanogan County. Started June 16. Unknown cause.  

OEI Fire: 820 acres. 85% containment. Benton County. Started June 14. Unknown cause.  

Roza Fire: Acreage unknown. Unknown containment. Yakima County. Started June 18. Unknown cause.  

Snake River Fire: 693 acres. 100% contained. Asotin County. Started June 12. Under investigation. 

Upriver Fire: 217 acres. 10% contained. Spokane County. Started June 16. Human caused.  

 Large fires contained in Grant County this week: 

Highway 17: 1,300 acres. Fully contained. Started June 16. Human-caused. 

According to Grant County Fire District 7, several fire agencies were dispatched to a single-vehicle collision with reports the car was on fire off Highway 17. 

The responding units found the car engulfed in flames and began suppression efforts but due to high winds and extremely dry conditions, the fire spread quickly to surround brush, according to GCFD 7. 

However, coordinated efforts were organized with mutual aid and state resources, and the responding agencies were able to stop fire progression before structures were lost. Crews remained on the scene throughout the night, conducting a mop-up operation and monitoring hot spots.  

The fire was declared fully extinguished at around 9:30 a.m. on June 17. 

“This fire serves as an important reminder of how vulnerable our area is during these hot, dry summer months,” GCFD 7 wrote in a statement. “Wind-driven fires can spread rapidly and become dangerous in a matter of minutes. Please continue to stay vigilant, use caution with anything that could spark a fire and help us keep our communities safe.”  

The responding agencies to the fire were Grant County Fire District 3, Grant County District 4, Grant County Fire District 5, Grant County Fire District 8, Grant County Fire District 12, Grant County Fire District 13, Ephrata Fire Department, Moses Lake Fire Department, Coulee City Fire Department, Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Grant County Public Utility District.  

GCSO released a statement this morning reminding residents starting a fire can lead to fines and criminal charges. The following charges include arson, intentionally starting a fire that damages a building, vehicle or other property; first-degree reckless burning, starting a fire that damages a building, car, crops or other property, which is a felony; second-degree reckless burning, starting a fire that puts property in danger which can be a gross misdemeanor. Grant County also has an annual burn ban from June 1 to Sept. 30, where violations can be anywhere between $150 to $500. 

No large fire reported in Adams County this week.  

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: Good, 13 Air Quality Index.   

Moses Lake: Good, 13 Air Quality Index.   

Othello: Good, 23 Air Quality Index.   

Quincy: Good, 17 Air Quality Index.  

 SOURCES: INCIWEB, WATCHDUTY, AIRNOW.