Large fire near Coulee City chars thousands of acres
Grant County Fire District No. 13/ courtesy photo The Whitehall Road Fire near Coulee City burned thousands of acres of land over the weekend.
COULEE CITY — A large fire that broke out near Coulee City over the weekend prompted the mobilization of state firefighting resources to help get a handle on the large blaze.
The fire, dubbed the Whitehall Road Fire, started about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday about eight miles southwest of Coulee City. The blaze was heavily driven by strong winds and resources from several different fire districts in both Douglas and Grant counties, arrived at the scene to keep the fire from spreading.
“This fire is in easternmost Douglas County and closer to many Grant County fire agencies. That's why there are so many Grant County resources on the scene. Grant County fire agencies are assisting Douglas County by providing fire resources,” stated the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
About 10 homes were threatened by the fire, but they were all protected by firefighters at the scene. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste approved the mobilization of state firefighting resources about 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, per the request of Douglas County Fire District No. 8 Chief Don Rushton.
Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau ordered five task forces, two dozers and one hand team to combat the blaze. In addition, the State Operations Center (EOC) at Camp Murray was activated to a Level 2 to coordinate state assistance for the fire.
“No structures or injuries have been reported and crews reported minimal fire activity overnight. Firefighters are on the fire lines today (Sunday) working to identify and extinguish any remaining hot spots and reinforce established containment lines,” Trooper Jeff Sevigney said on Sunday. “Fire managers are closely monitoring weather conditions near the fire. Winds are expected to increase later today over the fire area as a cold front pushes through. Firefighters will remain vigilant and expect to make good progress today.”
As of the Columbia Basin Herald’s press time on Sunday there were about 160 personnel at the scene of the fire, which was estimated to be about 3,500 acres in size and 50 percent contained.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email city@columbiabasinherald.com.