FIRE REPORT: Multiple new fires break out across WA

SELAH — The North Wenas Fire started Monday at 7:45 p.m. located in Yakima County near Selah, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire is estimated at 1,500 acres and growing with no containment. The fire is threatening homes, the electrical grid, irrigation and cultural areas. Level three evacuations are in effect Tuesday.

The Black Canyon Fire was reported at 7:21 p.m. Monday. The fire started at 200 acres but quickly expanded to 4,500 acres with no containment according to inciweb. There are multiple evacuation notices in effect. 

•The Big Horn Fire started at 1:07 p.m. Monday near the town of Bickleton in Klickitat County. The fire is 13,800 acres and 1% contained. There are level two evacuations for Sand Ridge Road to the Klickitat County line. According to Inciweb, evacuation orders for nearby residents have been issued.

• The Bridge Creek Fire ignited July 19 and is 11 miles north of Keller. As of Monday, the fire has expanded from 1,100 acres Monday to 2,398 acres Tuesday and remains uncontained. There are multiple evacuation orders in effect according to Inciweb, as well as multiple road restrictions. 

• The Cougar Creek Fire, discovered July 15 in the Blue Mountains, about 50 miles east of Walla Walla, had expanded to 10,766 acres by Tuesday sitting previously at 8,721 acres Monday according to Inciweb  It remains at 23% containment. An evacuation order is in effect in the area and some roads have travel restrictions near the Washington-Oregon border.

• The Davin Road fire started at 8:40 a.m. Sunday and was only one acre initially, but quickly grew. It has expanded from 1,782 acres Monday to 2,398 acres Tuesday and is currently uncontained. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Multiple evacuation orders are in effect, including one for the town of Keller.

• The Easy Fire, discovered Wednesday about 58 miles northwest of Omak, remains uncontained at 354 acres by Tuesday according to Inciweb. On Sunday, State Route 20 North Cascades Highway was closed between Granite Creek and Easy Pass trailhead in both directions due to the wildfire. According to officials, the estimated containment date is September 1 due to rough ground and heavy vegetation.

• The Frazer Crossing Fire started on Sunday and has spread 220 acres with no containment by Tuesday according to Watch Duty. There is a level one advisory for the area of SR 20, East of Upper Beaver Creek, Frazer Crossing Road and Twisp. 

• The Miners Complex Fires consist of nine wildfires caused by lightning strikes July 17 and 18 according to the Miners Complex Facebook. The fire is still at 500 acres with no containment. The Miners Complex includes: Miners Fire, Vista Ridge Fire, Dolly Creek Fire, Sulphur Three Fire, Sulphur Four Fire, Sulphur Thirty-Four Fire, Upper Sulphur Thirty-Two Fire, Lower Sulphur Thirty-Two Fire, and Plummer Fire. According to Inciweb, the Miners Complex is burning approximately 21 miles east of Darrington in the Upper Suiattle Valley.

•The Owhi Flats Fire, discovered July 17, has 30% containment and has burned 88 acres as of Tuesday according to Inciweb and firefighters at the scene. The fire is located seven miles northeast of Nespelem. The fire is north of the Columbia River, east of Swawilla Basin Road and west of Highway 21. The estimated cost to fight the fire so far is $100,000. 

• The Pioneer Fire remains at 14% containment and 30,352 acres Tuesday according to Inciweb. Discovered on July 8, initially reported on private land 31 miles northwest of Chelan, it quickly spread to the U.S. Forest Service land, including wilderness areas. Multiple evacuation orders are in effect as a result of the fire.

• The Rainbow Lake Fire started at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday and has burned 150 acres with no containment, per Inciweb. The fire is located in Okanogan County by Rainbow Lake. 

• The Shoofly Fire in the Cascades, about 45 miles northwest of Wenatchee, was 60% contained Tuesday and has burned 104 acres according to Inciweb. The fire has been active since July 8.

• The Swawilla Fire, ignited by lightning July 27, is located 10 miles southwest of Keller and has grown to roughly 7,300 acres with no containment on Tuesday according to Inciweb. Keller Ferry will remain closed. Roads have been closed near the fire and more may be closed as the fire grows. Travelers are advised to verify route accessibility if passing through the area.

•The Wannacut fire in Okanogan County started at 9:02 p.m. Monday according to Watch Duty. It is currently at 64 acres with no containment as of Tuesday.

•The White Swan Fire started at 5:08 p.m. Monday. The fire is 100 acres and not contained as of Tuesday according to Watch Duty. There were evacuation notices but they have been canceled per Yakima County Emergency Management according to Yakima County’s press release. 

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.

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