Powerline Fire, sparked by motorcycle, now at 7,800 acres
Grant County Fire District No. 13/courtesy photoA “fire whirl” was spotted as firefighters were battling the Powerline Fire in southern Grant County.
By EMRY DINMAN
Staff Writer
MATTAWA - The Powerline Fire, which was first reported just after noon Sunday on the southern flank of the Saddle Mountains north of Mattawa, is now estimated at 7,800 acres with 0 percent containment, according to fire officials.
“It will continue to burn today, but we’ve got overcast skies and calm winds this morning, and that’s going to give the crews a good opportunity to get some good solid work done this morning,” said Nancy Jones, a Public Information Officer with the Cle Elum Ranger Station who has been assigned to the Powerline Fire. “Winds are predicted to pick up this afternoon, but right now it’s really good, stable work conditions for the crews.”
The blaze was started under high-voltage power lines which supply electricity to antennas along the Saddle Mountains after a motorcyclist’s bike fell over and the hot engine and exhaust sparked dry grass. The fire is threatening homes, crops, feedlots, and infrastructure.
High winds pushed the fire along the south slope of the Saddle Mountains, and though it threatened to push north over the top of the ridge or south of an irrigation canal, firefighters have limited growth to a thin strip along the slope.
State fire assistance mobilized at 7:00 p.m. Sunday under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters at the request of David Patterson, Fire Chief of Grant County Fire District No. 8. Four fire bosses and two helicopters have been deployed to the area, according to a statement from Commissioner of Public Lands Hillary Franz on Monday, and air radar maps show at least one air tanker has also joined the fight.
Level 1 evacuation notices are still in effect for the 23000 blocks of Road E SW, Road F SW, Road G SW, Road H SW, Road I SW, Road J SW, Road K SW, Road L SW, Road M SW, Road N SW, and Road O SW.
Though previously under Level 3 (get out) evacuation notices, the notice was downgraded around midnight Monday morning to Level 2 (get set) for the 23000 blocks of Road O SW, Road P SW, Road Q SW, and Road R SW.
An evacuation shelter was established at Wahluke High School, but no one made use of the facility, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Emry Dinman can be reached via email at edinman@columbiabasinherald.com