FIRE REPORT: Blewett Fire closes U.S. 97

MOSES LAKE — Fires throughout Washington continue to burn and one new fire began Wednesday, though they were relatively small as of press time. The Blewett Fire closed U.S. 97 Wednesday afternoon, despite being only 15 acres.  The blaze was uncontained as of press time, and had started shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday. 

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. 401 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. 

One new fire contained: 

Cimarron Fire — 25 acres. 100% containment. Started Monday. Located outside of Spokane.  

Other fires:     

Rennie Creek Fire — 48.5 acres. 0% containment. Started Aug. 17 however it spread to over 10 acres today. Located in Chelan County.  

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.   

Lodgepole Fire — 35 acres. 6% contained. Started at 3:30 p.m. on 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 — 211 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. 55 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 on 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. 79 personnel. 

Williams Mine Fire — 12,161 acres. 31% contained. Started noon Aug. 5. Located near Mount Adams Wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 228 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 Wednesday for the Columbia Basin.  

SOURCES: InciWeb/NIFC/WildCAD/AirNow