FIRE REPORT: Washington’s largest fire 90% contained

MOSES LAKE — The Swawilla Fire, ignited by lightning at 11:30 p.m. July 17, is Washington's largest active blaze, consuming approximately 53,400 acres. However, the fire went from 70% containment Saturday to 90% Monday. 

There are well established fire lines on the east, west and south sides of the fire, according to the Swawilla Fire Information Line. The majority of the 601 personnel are working on containing the north side of the fire. The information line said they do not expect any issues with operations now. According to InciWeb, full containment is anticipated by Aug. 22. 

According to the Swawilla Fire Information Line, there have been two homes lost to the fire and two small structures also lost.  

While a rumor did circulate that 28 homes had burned down, authorities coordinating efforts to fight the wildfire said that is not true. 

There have been no major injuries or fatalities due to the fire. The main roads have also opened around the fire. Three dirt roads remained closed on the north side of the fire lines.  

There are still level two and level three evacuations in effect, but most have been lowered to level two. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is managing the response, with 685 personnel actively battling the fire. 

Inciweb predicts some moderation in the immediate weather and continued warm and dry conditions, along with a slight chance of thunderstorms bringing gusting outflow winds. Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist for the early part of this week.  

The three biggest fires actively burning in Washington on Monday:  

1.The Swawilla Fire covered above is Washington's largest active blaze.  

2. The Pioneer Fire, now the second-largest active wildfire in Washington, has expanded from 33,800 acres Saturday to 35,600 acres Monday. Containment remains at 12%, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The fire ignited around 1 p.m. July 8 and is located 10 miles southwest of Stehekin. Stehekin is under level three evacuation notices due to the fire. The U.S. Forest Service has closed parts of the Chelan Ranger District and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. InciWeb reports an excessive heat warning and a red flag warning for hot, dry, and unstable conditions. A crew of 728 is working to fight it. Full containment is estimated by Aug. 31. 

3. The Retreat Fire, currently the third-largest active blaze in Washington, has expanded from 34,800 acres Saturday to approximately 41,300 acres Monday. The fire started at about 4 p.m. July 23, about 14 miles southwest of Naches. Despite its growth, containment has improved, rising from 37% Saturday to 49% Monday. According to InciWeb, most fire activity is now concentrated in higher elevations with mixed conifer fuel types. However, heat concentrations persist in lower elevations with sage and grass, alongside ponderosa pine. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. Due to the increasing threat, several evacuation orders have been issued. Currently, 563 personnel are actively involved in fighting the blaze. 

Two new fires started in Washington on Monday: 

• The Salmon Creek Fire started at about 11:30 a.m. Monday in Okanogan County. The fire is currently 100 acres according to NIFC with no containment. There were no evacuation orders in effect as of press time.  

• The Flat Creek Fire started Friday at three acres, so it was not reported in the fire report, however, Monday the fire expanded to 10 acres. There is no containment. The fire is in Chelan County, near Flat Creek.  

Three fires were contained in Washington as of Monday: 

• The Bonair Fire which started Sunday in Yakima County. It burned 15 acres but is fully contained as of Monday.  

• The Bridge Creek Fire, which ignited July 19, has burned approximately 4,000 acres. The fire is fully contained as of Sunday. The fire was 11 miles north of Keller. 

• The Sunset Ridge Fire started at 10:51 a.m. Saturday in Okanogan County. The fire burned 160 acres but is fully contained as of Sunday.   

These other fires were burning in Washington Monday, according to the NIFC: 

• The Cougar Creek Fire, which started at 8:13 p.m. July 15, has expanded significantly in recent days. According to InciWeb, the fire has grown from 19,100 acres Saturday to 20,700 acres as of Monday. Despite the increase in size the containment has remained steady at 35%. The fire is about one mile west of the intersection of Highway 129 and the Grand Ronde River. Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire. Currently, around 488 personnel are actively working to construct containment lines and safeguard threatened structures and valuable resources in the area. Full containment is projected for Sept. 1. 

• The Easy Fire, ignited by a dry lightning storm at 7:55 p.m. July 17, has burned approximately 530 acres and remains uncontained as of Monday, according to InciWeb. The fire is 17 miles west of Mazama and efforts to control it involved 127 personnel. Recent precipitation, cool temperatures and cloudy skies have temporarily reduced fire activity, according to InciWeb. Fire managers have estimated a containment date of Sept. 1. 

• The Miners Complex Fires, which consist of nine separate blazes, have burned 500 acres and remain uncontained as of Monday, according to InciWeb. These fires were ignited by a significant dry lightning storm that generated nearly 1,000 strikes across Oregon and Washington. Fire activity increased for the Vista Ridge and Miners fires Sunday. While the fire on Sulphur Mountain persists, fire and smoke activity has been minimal since last week’s weather event. An observation flight scheduled for Monday will provide a better perspective on fire growth and perimeters, according to InciWeb. The fires erupted July 17 and 18, 21 miles east of Darrington. Fire officials estimate containment by Aug. 31, according to InciWeb. 

• The Pincer Two Fire, which ignited July 18, has burned 110 acres and remains uncontained as of Monday, according to InciWeb. Located one mile east of Mineral Park, the fire was sparked by the same lightning storm that caused the Miners Complex Fires. According to the Sunday press release, no homes or structures have been affected by the fire. Currently, 15 personnel are actively working to control the blaze. The estimated containment date is Aug. 31, according to InciWeb. 

• The Shoofly Fire remains steady at 104 acres and is 63% contained as of Monday, according to InciWeb. The fire started July 8, 9 miles north of Stevens Pass. There are no fire personnel currently working on the blaze. The cause of the fire is still undetermined, with an estimated containment date of Sept. 31. 

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 moderate Monday for the Columbia Basin, according to the website AirNow, which is operated by a consortium of government agencies.