Coulee Dam fires keep growing

COULEE DAM - The Barker Canyon Complex fire has ravaged nearly 30,000 acres in the Coulee Dam area, and continues to threaten up to 30 structures.

The fire is a combination of the former Barker Canyon and Leahy Junction fires, and, as of Tuesday, is labeled at zero percent containment.

Fire information officer Karen Ripley said the Barker Canyon Fire burned nearly 18,500 acres along the Grant-Douglas county border, while the Leahy Junction arm has singed around 11,000 acres.

The fire jumped state Route 174 Tuesday, as well as a portion of the Columbia River, Ripley said.

Smoke and flames are so thick that the highway is closed between Leahy Junction and Coulee Dam.

Most of the area north of state Route 174 is under Level 2 evacuation order: meaning residents should be ready to leave a moment's notice, Ripley said.

The fire has spread some 15 miles between Lake Rufus Woods behind Chief Joseph Dam and Sims Corner south of Mansfield.

Ripley said well over 250 fighters are battling the blaze, with resources being called in from all around the state.

"This morning 250 lunches just flew out of the refrigerator," she said.

Some of those forces include crews from the Colville Confederated Tribes' Mt. Tolman Fire Department.

Mother Nature didn't help Monday night, as steady 35 mile per hour winds kicked flames up throughout the evening.

"We're still investigating the number of structures that we've lost, and though the nights are cooler and the nights are longer, the grass and brush are just as dry as ever," Ripley said.

On other fire fronts, Wenatchee police Sgt. John Kruse said that the Canyons Fire, threatening nearly 200 homes, has merged with the Twin Peaks Fire.

The combination now covers at least 1,000 acres.

Roughly 30 additional homes have been elevated to Level 1 status, bringing the total around 70. Level 1 status means residents should leave immediately.

The Apache Pass fire between Odessa and Creston exploded from 2,000 acres to 18,000 acres Monday night.

Information officer Jeff Sevigney said that high winds and lack of resources were partially responsible for the high acreage gains.

That fire is reported as 15 percent contained.