Wildland fire burns 40 acres near Quincy

QUINCY — Fire season is here, as evidenced by multiple fires in Grant County Fire District 3 from Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon. Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee said people should plan accordingly. 

“We’re just asking the public to be vigilant,” Durfee said. 

District crews responded to a fire at about 6:30 p.m. Monday, about 2 miles northwest of George near the intersection of Beverly Burke Road North and West Baseline Road. The fire was burning near homes and agricultural land, but fire crews contained it to unimproved property.   

It eventually grew to about 40 acres, Durfee wrote in a GCFD press release, but fire crews contained it in about an hour. Firefighters from Grant County Fire District 13, Ephrata Fire Department and Royal Slope Fire also responded. 

“Our firefighters did outstanding work, and we’re grateful for the support of our partner agencies,” Durfee said. 

Two small fires were reported at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon along State Route 283, about 9 miles south of Quincy. Each burned less than an acre of unimproved land. 

Durfee said the causes of both the Tuesday and Wednesday fires are undetermined. No injuries were reported.  

It’s summer, it’s been hot and dry, and it’s Independence Day weekend. Durfee said people should take precautions in those conditions, regardless, but especially when lighting fireworks. He urged people to report it when they see smoke. 

“Don’t assume somebody else made the 911 call,” he said.  

People should start with a cleared area if they’re going to light fireworks, and should have an adequate source of water or a fire extinguisher nearby. People should pay attention to the weather and avoid lighting fireworks in windy conditions.  

Children and pets should be supervised around fireworks, Durfee said.