Whitehall Road Fire 100 percent contained

COULEE CITY — Around the clock work combating the Whitehall Road Fire led to 100 percent containment of the large blaze on Monday.

The fire, which started about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday about eight miles southwest of Coulee City, was heavily driven by strong winds, prompting fire districts in both Douglas and Grant counties to be dispatched to the scene. Because the fire was located in eastern Douglas County, several different fire districts from Grant County provided mutual aid, due to local resources being closer to the fire than resources in Douglas County.

Mobilization of state firefighting resources was approved by Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste about 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, with five task forces, two dozers and one hand team ordered to fight the fire. Initially there was 10 homes threatened by the fire, but they were all protected by fire crews and did not sustain any damage.

“No structures or injuries have been reported and crews reported minimal fire activity overnight (Sunday night). Firefighters are on the fire lines today working to identify and extinguish any remaining hot spots and reinforce established containment lines,” Trooper Jeff Sevigney said on Monday. “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.”

Up-to-date mapping puts the size of the blaze at 3,270 acres. Command of the fire was turned over to Douglas County Fire District No. 8. Firefighters will be patrolling the area over the next couple of days to extinguish flare ups and mop up hot spots.

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