Moses Lake fire 100 percent contained
Firefighters mop up hotspots alongside state Route 17 Wednesday morning.
Editor's note: The below version contains updates released Thursday morning after our press deadlines.
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake fire that scorched more than 3,000 acres of land and destroyed two homes is now 100 percent contained.
The fire started about 3 p.m. on the property of a home in the 8300 block of Neppel Road Northeast, about seven miles north of Moses Lake. High winds caused the fire to quickly spread and gain ground, eventually jumping state route 17 and threatening 100 structures in the area of Road 10 Northeast. Earlier reports showed more than one home was destroyed, as well as outbuildings. An updated tally shows that two homes were destroyed, along with six outbuildings, according to Washington State Patrol spokesman Jeff Sevigney on Thursday morning.
Grant County Fire District No. 5 initially responded to the fire, but with winds causing rapid growth and several structures threatened, the district called for mutual aid. Several different fire departments from around Grant County responded to help combat the blaze. A Level 2 evacuation notice was issued about 3:40 p.m. by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office for homes north/northeast of Road 10 and Road H Northeast.
The notice was upgraded to a Level 3 about 4:25 p.m. for all homes in the Road 10 and Road H Northeast area. Level 3 evacuations indicate that people are in immediate danger and need to evacuate as soon as possible.
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources about 6:15 p.m., per the request of GCFD No. 5 Chief Dan Smith. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau order three wildland task forces and the state Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray was activated to a Level 2 to coordinate state assistance for the fire. In addition, state Fire Marshal personnel were sent to the scene to coordinate the dispatch of resources.
The sheriff’s office stated the fire was still burning about 7:25 p.m. on Tuesday, but the blaze was under control by crews at the scene. Crews finished work on the fire this morning and put out hotspots. The last resources assigned to the fire were sent home this morning. Mapping of the fire puts its size at 3,280 acres. Sevigney said as of this morning the fire is 100 percent contained. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A livestock emergency shelter was set up by the sheriff’s office at the Grant County Fairgrounds for livestock and the Grant County Animal Outreach offered a safe place for companion animals for people who had to be evacuated from their homes. Shelters were put in place at the Grant County Animal Outreach for people from the about two dozen homes that were evacuated.
A GoFundMe account was set up for the Sanislo family, whose home was destroyed in Tuesday’s fire. The donation pages states that the eight occupants of the home were able to get out with only their vehicles and the clothes on their backs. To make a donation visit www.gofundme.com/2hsfat3h.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
