FIRE REPORT: Fire season not over yet

OLYMPIA — The weather is cooling, but fire danger is still high, according to a statement from Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. Citing elevated temperatures and dry fuel conditions, Franz highlighted the need to protect both residents and firefighters from avoidable wildfire danger.

“The recent fires on the west side of our state reminds us that fire season is not over yet. As we’ve seen the past couple years with the Bolt Creek and Nakia Creek fires, autumn still holds potential for large wildfires that can impact broad areas of Washington,” Franz wrote in the statement. “We’re seeing fires rage through wetter forests, even the Olympic Rainforest. Even though it’s been cooler, we still haven’t seen much rain, and until we do our forests remain vulnerable to wildfires that can threaten homes and fill our skies with smoke. This year has been one of the most destructive ever for the people of Washington. I’m urging everyone to continue their vigilance by not starting fires outdoors to keep our state and our firefighters safe.”

So far in 2023, Washington has had 1,855 wildfires burn 155,503 acres, which is ahead of the typical pace for the number of fires but below average for acres burned, the statement said. The Department of Natural Resources’ 10-year average is 1,417 fires and 288,682 acres burned. However, it’s also been one of the most destructive fire seasons on record, with more than 400 homes burned by wildfires across Washington, including the homes burned by the Gray and Oregon Road fires in Spokane County last month.

Moderated weather conditions are allowing firefighters to make progress containing existing wildfires, the statement said, the largest active fire being the Cowlitz Complex primarily in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest outside Randle, which is 40% contained at 715 acres.

Fire danger remains high over most of central and eastern Washington, according to the DNR. The portions of Chelan and Okanogan counties that were rated as extreme last week had been downgraded to high Friday. Air quality was good to moderate throughout the Columbia Basin on Friday.

These fires were also burning Friday, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center:

Airplane Lake: This blaze about 53 miles northwest of Wenatchee burned 6,677 acres Friday and costs are estimated at $500,000. It is still reported as uncontained and no cause has been identified. It was discovered July 7.

Blue Lake: This blaze, discovered July 29 about 53 miles west of Omak was still 80% contained Friday at 1,074 acres. Costs were estimated at $5.75 million.

Chocolate Creek: This blaze about 58 miles northwest of Wenatchee was still uncontained Friday, and held steady at 38 acres. Costs were estimated at $90,000.

Consalus: Around 475 acres burned near the Idaho border due east of the Little Oreille National Wildlife Refuge. The fire has cost about $12 million and was 100% contained Friday. Authorities report that the cause of the fire is natural.

Diamond Mountain: This fire about 25 miles south of Port Angeles was discovered Sept. 1 and remained at 30 acres Friday. The cause was determined to be natural. It was uncontained and costs were estimated at $10,000.

Delabarre: This fire in Olympic National Park held steady at 3,658 acres Friday and was still uncontained. Estimated costs were $5 million. The fire was discovered Sept. 1.

Dome Peak: This fire, located in the Mt. Baker National Forest, was still uncontained as of Friday and had burned nearly 1,500 acres. The fire was reported July 29. Costs were estimated at $100,000.

Eagle Bluff: This fire, southwest of Oroville near the Canadian border, has burned 16,428 acres. The fire has cost about $9.9 million and was fully contained Friday. The cause is unknown.

Eagle Point: Discovered Aug. 29 about 12 miles south of Port Angeles, this fire was still uncontained at 128 acres Friday. Costs were estimated at $100,000.

Gray: Discovered Aug. 18 about 17 miles west of Spokane, it was still 99% contained at almost 10,100 acres Friday. The fire was determined to be caused by human activity and costs were estimated at $10.4 million.

Kindy Creek: Discovered Aug. 18 in the Cascades above Lake Chelan about 75 miles northwest of Wenatchee, this blaze remained at just more than 200 acres Friday. It was uncontained and costs were estimated at $90,000.

Lake Whatcom: Discovered Aug. 28 about 9 miles southeast of Bellingham, this fire was 100% contained and remained at 40 acres Friday. Costs were estimated at $850,000.

Low Divide: This fire in the Olympic National Forest was discovered Sept. 1 and remained at 312 acres Friday. It was uncontained and costs were estimated at $125,000. The cause was determined to be natural.

Martin Lake: This fire in the Olympic National Forest was discovered Sept. 1 and was still at 108 acres Friday. It was uncontained and costs were estimated at $50,000.

Sourdough: Burning in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area in the north Cascades since July 29, it was still 25% contained Thursday but had grown to just under 7,400 acres. Costs are estimated at $24 million.

Several other fires are reported throughout the state but have burned less than 10 acres and are not included in this report. The majority are less than 1 acre.

Joel Martin may be reached by email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.