FIRE REPORT: Two more fires contained before WA heat wave

MOSES LAKE -- Two fires were contained in Washington on Thursday including the South Columbia Basin Fire and the Black Canyon Fire.  

The South Columbia Basin Fire had burned 252 acres and was fully contained by Thursday according to InciWeb. The fire ignited at 1:39 p.m. on July 26, nine miles west of Cheney. The Black Canyon Fire has burned approximately 9,200 acres and increased from 89% containment on Wednesday to 99% containment as of Thursday, according to InciWeb. The fire started at 7:21 p.m. on July 22, 2024, ten miles northwest of Naches. The cause remains undetermined. 

However, there is an excessive heat watch in Washington. The National Weather Service has put out an excessive heat watch for multiple counties in Washington, including Grant County for this Friday and Saturday. In Moses Lake the high for Friday is 105 degrees and Saturday is 101 degrees. The high for both Sunday and Monday are 100 degrees. The excessive heat could make it harder for firefighters to work on the current burns, which was mentioned in various press releases.  

The three biggest fires actively burning in Washington on Thursday:  

1. The Swawilla Fire, sparked by lightning on July 17 at 11:30 p.m., has become the largest active blaze in Washington, covering approximately 49,000 acres. Located ten miles southwest of Keller, the fire's containment improved from 45% on Wednesday to 60% on Thursday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Forecasts from InciWeb indicate near-record highs and hot, dry isolated thunderstorms are expected on Saturday and Sunday. Multiple evacuation orders remain in effect. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is managing the response, with 628 personnel actively battling the fire. As reported by InciWeb, full containment is anticipated by August 22, 2024. 

2. The Pioneer Fire, currently the second largest active blaze in Washington, has burned approximately 33,800 acres. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), containment has decreased from 15% on Wednesday to 12% on Tuesday. The fire, which ignited at 12:48 p.m. on July 8, was located ten miles southwest of Stehekin. Due to the fire, level three evacuation notices are in effect for the town of Stehekin. The U.S. Forest Service has also issued closures for parts of the Chelan Ranger District and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. InciWeb predicts a significant warming and drying trend will impact Central Washington, and the Pioneer Fire as high pressure continues to rise. Temperatures are expected to reach the 80s and 90s at most elevations, with the Stehekin canyon potentially hitting triple digits on Friday. This heatwave will be coupled with poor overnight recovery rates of 35 to 50 percent and afternoon humidity dipping to 20% or lower. Currently, 685 personnel are actively combating the fire. Full containment is estimated by August 31, 2024, according to InciWeb. 

3. The Retreat Fire, the third largest active blaze in Washington, has burned approximately 31,600 acres as of Thursday. Originally ignited at 3:46 p.m. on July 23, the fire is 14 miles southwest of Naches. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), containment of the fire improved significantly from 18% on Wednesday to 37% by Thursday. On Wednesday, the fire area experienced warmer temperatures and drier conditions, along with terrain-driven winds. These warming and drying trends are expected to continue into Thursday, bringing temperatures in the mid-80s to 90s. Relative humidity levels are forecasted to drop to the 20% to 30% range. Winds, primarily driven by surface heating, are expected to come from the southeast at speeds of 8 to 14 mph, with gusts reaching 15 to 20 mph, according to InciWeb. As the fire's cause remains undetermined and is under investigation, multiple evacuation orders have been issued. A total of 473 personnel are actively engaged in battling the blaze. 

No new fires started in Washington on Thursday. 

These fires were also burning in Washington on Thursday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center: 

• The Bridge Creek Fire, which began at 4:09 p.m. on July 19, has burned approximately 4,000 acres and is currently 50% contained as of Wednesday, according to InciWeb. The fire is located 11 miles north of Keller, and its cause remains undetermined. An estimated 117 personnel are actively working to contain the blaze, with a projected containment date of August 15, 2024. 

• The Cougar Creek Fire, which began at 8:13 p.m. on July 15, remains at 17,602 acres and is still 29% contained as of Thursday, according to InciWeb. The fire is one mile west of the intersection of Highway 129 and the Grand Ronde River. The cause of the fire is still undetermined and under investigation. An estimated 618 personnel are currently engaged in building containment lines and protecting threatened structures and values at risk. According to InciWeb, the estimated containment date for the fire is set for September 1, 2024. 

• The Easy Fire, which started at 7:55 p.m. on July 17 due to a dry lightning storm, has scorched approximately 530 acres and remains uncontained as of Thursday, according to InciWeb. The fire is located 17 miles west of Mazama. Efforts to control the blaze involve 127 personnel using ground crews to establish containment lines, while air resources are deploying water to douse hotspots. Fire managers have set an estimated containment date of August 1, 2024, according to InciWeb. 

• The Lower Granite Fire, which started at 12:13 p.m. on July 29, has burned around 14,500 acres and has seen a significant increase in containment, going from no containment as of Wednesday to 50% containment by Thursday, according to InciWeb. The fire is located northeast of Pomeroy, and while the cause is still undetermined, it is likely human caused. Currently, 144 personnel are working to control the fire, with the estimated containment date set for August 2. Evacuation orders, including those for livestock and animals, are in effect. 

• The Miners Complex Fires have burned 500 acres and remain uncontained as of Thursday, according to InciWeb. This complex consists of nine separate fires ignited by a major dry lightning storm, which saw nearly 1,000 strikes across Oregon and Washington. The fires erupted on July 17 and 18 and are located 21 miles east of Darrington. Fire officials have set an estimated containment date of August 31, 2024. 

• The Pincer Two Fire, which began at 4:09 p.m. on July 18, has scorched 102 acres and is currently uncontained, according to InciWeb. Located one mile east of Mineral Park, the fire originated from the same lightning storm that caused the Miners Complex Fires. There are 38 personnel actively working to control the blaze. The estimated containment date is August 31, 2024, according to InciWeb. 

• The Shoofly Fire has held steady at 104 acres and is 56% contained as of Thursday, according to InciWeb. The fire began at 3:11 p.m. on July 8, 2024, nine miles north of Stevens Pass. The estimated containment date is August 25, 2024. Currently, 29 fire personnel are working on the blaze. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. 

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

Grant County’s wildfire danger continues to be very high. The Grant County Sheriff’s office has asked area residents to be careful with anything that could cause a wildfire. 

Air quality was good Thursday for the Columbia Basin, according to the website AirNow, which is operated by a consortium of government agencies.