FIRE REPORT: Wilson Creek fire out as of Friday

WILSON CREEK — The Road R Fire, also listed as the Wilson Creek Fire, in Grant County, was put out Friday at 7:30 p.m. and crews began to monitor hot spots, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The road between R-NE and Wilson Creek is open again beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. 

The blazeire started July 18, 2024, at approximately 3 p.m. and burned 180 acres of land. The town was not at risk and no evacuations were issued. 

The Swawilla Fire, ignited by lightning July 27 is located 10 miles southwest of Keller and has grown to roughly 1,440 acres with no containment Saturday. Sunday, it was just 900 acres. Keller Ferry will remain closed, the crews will evaluate fire conditions July 22 to determine when the Ferry will reopen. 

The fire has caused level three evacuations, meaning go now, for the north line of the township, near the intersection of the Swawilla Basin Road to Lake Roosevelt, and the Keller Ferry north alongside Highway 21 to the north township line. 

Authorities have also issued level two evacuations, get ready to leave, have been issued for Manila Creek Road between Swawilla Basin Road and High 21 and Swawilla Basin Road to the south line of the township. 

The American Red Cross opened an emergency shelter in response to the fire. The shelter opened on Friday at 10:30 pm at Keller Senior Meal. 

• The Cougar Creek Fire discovered on Monday in the Blue Mountains, about 50 miles east of Walla Walla has expanded to 5,384 acres by Saturday but is at a 7% containment now. The Grande Ronde Road is closed from Troy, Ore., to the Highway 129 junction. 

• The Easy Fire, discovered Wednesday about 58 miles northwest of Omak is 0% contained and has grown to 286 acres by Saturday. 

•The Owhi Flats Fire, discovered Wednesday has no containment and has burned 88 acres. The fire is North of the Columbia River, east of Swawilla Basin Road and West of Highway 21. 

• The Pioneer Fire remains at 14% containment and continues to expand, burning 26,407 acres. Discovered on July 8, initially reported on private land 31 miles northwest of Chelan, it quickly spread to U.S. Forest Service land, including wilderness areas. According to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, a Level One fire advisory is still in effect for Stehekin. 

• The Shoofly Fire in the Cascades, about 45 miles northwest of Wenatchee, as of Saturday remains 56% contained and has burned 104 acres. The fire has been active since July 8.

• The Wallace Walker Fire discovered Monday about 33 miles northeast of Pasco, remained at 561 acres as of Saturday. Information on cost and containment is not yet available.

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.

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