Fire near Ephrata burns three acres

EPHRATA — A fire along State Route 283 briefly closed the highway Thursday afternoon. 

The fire originated near the intersection of SR 283 and Road 10 Northwest at about 5:50 p.m., according to a Grant County Fire District 13 release. The fire burned about 3 acres.

"We were able to keep it contained to about 3 acres,” the release said. “This is a good reminder that we are in fire season, and to use extreme caution with anything that can start a fire.” 

Traffic along SR 283 was restricted for about 20 minutes due to smoke conditions and to allow firefighters to work the fire scene, the release said. 

Firefighters from GCFD 13 and Grant County Fire District 3 responded to the fire, which burned along the SR 28 shoulder. Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee said drivers, too, should take precautions to avoid starting a fire.  

“Make sure all your towing equipment is secured and not dragging,” Durfee said.  

Dragging chains sparking from towing setups are regular causes of fires starting in the area, first responders have regularly told Columbia Basin Herald reporters.

If people think there’s a fire, they should report it, he said - and should report it right away. 

“Don’t assume that somebody else called it in,” he said.