SOAP LAKE — After one of the busiest wildfire seasons in recent memory, Grant County Fire District 7 leaders say the year underscored both the importance of mutual aid partnerships and the need for additional staffing as fire danger across Central Washington continues to increase. 

District 7 responded to 93 wildland fire incidents within its service area in 2026. When mutual aid responses are included, firefighters answered 116 wildland-related calls. 

Fire Chief Erick Brittain described the season as "extreme," driven by dry conditions, heavy fuels and limited mountain snowpack. 

"It was just kind of the perfect storm this year with the fuels that we had and the lack of a snowpack in the mountains," Brittain said.  

While the season tested firefighters across the region, Brittain said it also strengthened relationships between neighboring departments. 

"Tactically, we put into use mutual aid a lot more than we ever have in the past," he said. "We built that trust among departments and adjusted our tactics because we had to. It just goes to show you that we are better together with our mutual aid partners." 

Fourth of July fire highlights 2026 challenges 

For Brittain, no incident better represented the challenges of the summer than the Fourth of July wildfire outbreak that sparked multiple fires across the district. 

The fires stretched resources thin as crews responded simultaneously to incidents near Blue Lake and other locations before returning to a major fire near town. 

"Thank goodness for our mutual aid partners that came in," Brittain said. "Everybody was going from one fire to the next and came in and helped us out just at the right time." 

Brittain said the experience reinforced the importance of regional response efforts, particularly in rural communities where volunteer staffing can vary depending on work schedules and family obligations. 

"The key is getting on these fires quickly and effectively with personnel," he said. "To take a regional approach is a lot better than a siloed approach, in my opinion." 

Volunteers answer the call 

District 7 maintained a roster of 26 volunteer firefighters this year. Brittain said the season placed extraordinary demands on those volunteers, some of whom worked through 72-hour operational periods while sacrificing holidays, family gatherings and personal time. 

"We asked a lot of them," he said. "They dedicated themselves to the mission of helping their neighbors." 

Wildland incidents often arrived during summer weekends and holidays, forcing firefighters to miss family barbecues, camping trips and celebrations. 

"That level of dedication is just amazing," Brittain said. "I'm astounded every day by our crews and their commitment to public safety." 

Brittain singled out Wildland Fire Captain Jake Friesen for building the district's wildland program and coordinating firefighter training. He also recognized firefighters Jake Sandstrom and Sheena McKernan for their extended service during state mobilization assignments. 

Building a wildland program 

District 7 deployed crews to four state mobilizations this year, sending a Type 6 wildland engine to assist at large fires across Washington. 

The district's longest assignment was the Little Giant Fire, where firefighters spent 28 consecutive days. 

Brittain said the mobilizations gave firefighters valuable experience fighting large-scale wildfires and brought additional revenue back into the district's wildland program. 

"This is the first year that we were able to have the staffing to do that and the interest," he said. "A lot goes on behind the scenes getting these folks trained, red-carded through NWCG and ready to go for the upcoming fire seasons." 

The experience firefighters gained on larger incidents will benefit local response efforts, he added. 

"They can come back and bring that knowledge to the district, and that experience is invaluable." 

District officials are already working with neighboring agencies, including Ephrata Fire Department and Grant County Fire District 13, to explore regional staffing models that would allow departments to share personnel and equipment during both local incidents and state mobilizations. 

Community support praised 

Throughout the summer, community members and local businesses donated water, snacks and supplies to firefighters working long days on the fire line. 

Brittain said that support remained an important morale booster for crews. 

"It just shows what kind of community we live in," he said. "It's great to have that community support, knowing that they have our backs as much as we have theirs." 

He specifically noted donations of bottled water and other supplies from local businesses during major incidents. 

Looking ahead 

Although fire season is winding down, Brittain said district leaders are already preparing for 2027. 

Among the priorities are recruiting additional volunteers, expanding staffing and pursuing wildfire mitigation programs aimed at helping property owners reduce fire risk. 

"A little bit of preparation and planning goes a long way," Brittain said. 

District 7 also applied for grant funding to support future wildfire mitigation efforts and hopes to launch additional public education initiatives in the coming months. 

"We can't do any of this alone," Brittain said. "People do this. Fire trucks can't put out fires alone."

EMS levy on November ballot 

As district leaders evaluate lessons from the fire season, voters will also decide whether to provide additional funding for emergency services. 

Grant County Fire District 7 is asking voters to approve a six-year replacement Emergency Medical Services levy in the Nov. 3 general election. 

The measure would increase the EMS levy rate from $0.25 to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value beginning in 2027. According to previous reporting, the district chose not to collect the voter-approved $0.25 levy during the past two years in an effort to reduce financial pressures on residents. 

District officials have said growing call volumes, rising costs and increasing demands on emergency responders have made additional funding necessary. 

Brittain previously said EMS calls now account for about 85% of the district's total call volume. The district saw calls nearly double in July compared with the same month a year earlier, responding to 116 incidents versus 56 in July 2025. 

The chief said additional funding could help support staffing increases that would benefit both EMS and wildland responses. 

During the recent fire season, district officials relied heavily on seasonal staffing and severity crews to supplement volunteers during periods of elevated fire danger. 

"If our levy measure passes, we'll be able to increase full-time staffing," Brittain said. "Our volunteers are sacrificing so much." 

The district is also preparing for the eventual expiration of federal SAFER grant funding that currently supports one position. 

Proud of the people 

Brittain said his greatest source of pride is not the equipment or response statistics, but the firefighters and partnerships that carried the district through one of its most challenging years. 

"This business is all about people," he said. "We can build all the greatest fire equipment in the world or purchase all the greatest fire equipment in the world, but it really is our people that stand out on a daily basis." 

He also thanked residents for their continued support throughout the summer. 

"I'd like to thank them and the community for all their support," Brittain said. "And just let the community know that we'll be there for them." 

    Grant County Fire District 7 helped with several state mobilization efforts this summer, sending volunteers to help at the Little Giant fire for 28 consecutive days.
  

    Grant County Fire District 7 Captain CW Forrest and volunteer firefighters Lucas Naves and Evan Bolyard smile for a photo after a fire is contained this summer.
  

    Grant County Fire District 7 Wildland Fire Captain Jake Friesen was recognized this year as the department’s Firefighter of the Year during a Sept. 11 ceremony.
  

    Chief Erick Brittain recognized firefighters Sheena McKernan (pictured) and Jake Sandstrom for their service during state mobilization assignments this summer.