FIRE REPORT: Cold front to elevate fire conditions in Grant and Adams Co.

MOSES LAKE — According to the National Weather Service’s Spokane office, there will be a cold front blowing through the region with high winds that will elevate fire conditions.  

“It is caused by a storm going through the Northeast Pacific that is moving into northern British Columbia and kind of just kind of sending a cold front across Washington overnight,” National Weather Service Meteorologist Valerie Thaler said. 

The weather system entered the Columbia Basin on Monday night and went into the early morning, passing through the Columbia Basin around 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. bringing breezy winds and colder temperatures Tuesday.  

It will also result in elevated fire conditions.  

“We are expecting around 15 to 22 mph wind sustained up to 40 mph,” Thaler said. “So, with that addition, in addition to the elevated fire concerns, we may see some blowing dust impacting (Interstate) 90 in Grant County and choppy waters on the lakes.”  

There is no red flag warning for Grant County, however, there is one for eastern Adams County around Lind and Ritzville. 

“We've issued that for high winds and low relative humidities. So, we are forecasting relative humidity in that area of Adams County. Our criteria are a bit higher. So, when relative humidity drops to 20% or below with winds above 15 miles per hour,” Thaler said. “We expect critical fire weather conditions where fire can spread rapidly and it can’t get under control, which may impact resources, and maybe just harder to put these fires out right away, overwhelming the resources.” 

Any new fires will have the potential to spread quickly in the light orange shaded area on the map. There is a full burn ban still in effect. However, Thaler wants people to remember that matches, cigarettes and loose chains on cars start a lot of wildfires and to be mindful in the upcoming days. 

The cold front is expected to subside by late Tuesday, Thaler said.  

Largest Washington fires:        

Retreat Fire — Washington’s largest fire. 45,601 acres. 85% containment. started at 4 p.m. July 14. Located about 14 miles southeast of Naches. 228 personnel. 

Pioneer Fire — WA’s second-largest wildfire. 38,735 acres. 23% containment. Began around 1 p.m. June 8. Located 10 miles southeast of Stehekin. 414 personnel. 

Cougar Creek Fire — WA’s third-largest fire. 24,091 acres. 80% contained. Blazed up at 8 p.m. July 15. Located south of Walla Walla. 226 personnel.

No new fires started or contained Monday. 

Other fires:

Easy Fire — 2,130 acres. 36% containment. Began 8 p.m. July 17. Located 17 miles west of Mazama along North Cascades Scenic Highway. 63 personnel. 

Flat Creek Fire — 43 acres. 0% contained. Started on Friday. Located in Chelan County, near Flat Creek. Crew size not specified. 

Jupiter Fire/2620 Road Fire — 403 acres. 73% contained. Started 5 p.m. Wednesday. Located west of Brinnon. 403 personnel. 

Kachess Complex — consists of three fires. Stave Creek Fire: 12.1 acres, 35% contained. Thomas Fire: 9 acres, 95% contained. Waptus fire 0.5 acres, 100% contained. Started on Aug. 9. Located in the Cle Elum Ranger District of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. 155 personnel. 

Lodgepole Fire — 35 acres. 6% contained. Started at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 12. Located 16 miles west of Cliffdell. 8 personnel on fire. 

Miners Complex Fires — 1,100 acres. 0% containment. Began on July 17. Located 21 miles east of Darrington. Fire crew details unavailable. 

Pincer Two Fire – 189 acres. 0% containment. Began on July 18. Located 1 mile east of Mineral Park. 15 personnel.

Ruby Fire — 959 acres. 0% containment. Began 7 a.m. Friday. Located in Whatcom County. 90 personnel. 

Six Mile Fire — 113 acres. 90% containment. Began noon Sunday. Located in Ferry County near the head of Cottonwood Creek. 25 personnel. 

Shoofly Fire — 104 acres. 63% contained. Ignited July 8. Located 9 miles north of Stevens Pass. No crew information available. 

Stranger Creek II Fire — 66 acres. 90% contained. Ignited 2:17 p.m. Sunday. Located in Ferry County. 44 personnel. 

Stayman Fire — 3,118 acres. 0% contained. Started 2:29 p.m. Tuesday. The fire is located in Chelan County. There are level one and three evacuation orders in effect. No information crew size. 

Wicked Drive Fire — 698 acres. 65% contained. Started noon Sunday. Located 24 miles northwest of Spokane. 112 personnel. 

Williams Mine Fire — 11,778 acres. 29% contained. Started noon Aug. 5. Located near Mount Adams Wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 331 personnel.

Upper Ruby Fire — 285 acres. 16% contained. Started 3:55 p.m. Tuesday. Located between Ruby Creek and Brown’s Lake. 240 personnel. 

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. 

The Columbia Basin’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. 

SOURCES: InciWeb/NIFC/WildCAD/AirNow

    fires have the potential to spread quickly on the orange part of the map during Tuesday’s cold front. There is a full burn ban in effect and the National Weather Service wants to remind people to be mindful of things that can start a wildfire, especially with elevated conditions.