Wind-driven fire destroys several homes near Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — A wind-driven fire destroyed several structures near Moses Lake on Tuesday and shut down state Route 17 between Moses Lake and Ephrata for several hours. State fire mobilization was requested and approved to help combat the blaze.

The fire started in the yard of a residence in the 8300 block Neppel Road Northeast, about seven miles north of Moses Lake, about 3 p.m. The cause is under investigation.

Burning in heavy sage and grass and whipped by high winds, the fire jumped Neppel Road Northeast and start heading up a nearby hill. With winds blowing about 24 mph, the fire quickly spread and eventually jumped state Route 17 and started to burn parallel to Road 10 Northeast, until it jumped Road 10 as well, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Grant County Fire District No. 5 initially responded to the fire, but called for mutual aid when they arrived at the scene. Several different fire departments from around Grant County sent resources to help combat the fire. A Level 2 evacuation notice was issued by the sheriff’s office about 3:40 p.m. for homes north/northeast of Road 10 and Road H Northeast. The evacuation notice was upgraded to a Level 3, which indicated people in the area were in immediate danger and needed to evacuate their homes as soon as possible, about 4:25 p.m. for all homes in the Road 10 and Road H Northeast area.

A livestock emergency shelter was set up by the sheriff’s office at the Grant County Fairgrounds about 5:05 p.m. and the Grant County Animal Outreach opened their doors to hold companion animals for people who had to be evacuated from their homes. About two dozen homes were evacuated, according to the Associated Press. In addition, shelters were put in place at the Grant County International Airport and the fairgrounds for people impacted by the fire.

Initial reports indicate that several homes, structures and haystacks were burned during the fire. State fire mobilization was requested and approved to help combat the fire about 7 p.m. Washington Emergency Management put the size of the blaze between 4,000 and 5,000 acres about 6:40 p.m.

The sheriff’s office stated the fire was still burning about 7:25 p.m., but was under control by personnel at the scene.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.