Active fires in Wash. exceed $500 million in costs

MOSES LAKE — Washington's wildfire season continues to strain resources across the state, with active fires accounting for an estimated $557.6 million in suppression costs as of Tuesday, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center. More than 20 significant fires remain on the landscape, burning from Whatcom County to the Columbia Basin and Okanogan Highlands, with several large incidents still far from full containment. 

State officials say a combination of prolonged drought, hot temperatures and severe fire weather has made this year's season one of the most challenging in recent memory. The state has experienced multiple large, costly fires fueled by dry vegetation and weather conditions, with both lightning-caused and human-caused ignitions contributing to the workload. 

"It's been pretty challenging," Department of Natural Resources Public Information Officer Ryan Rodruck said. "We've seen a lot of hot, dry conditions on the landscape. We've also seen challenges with the amount of large, costly fires that have developed on the landscape." 

Despite the difficult season, Rodruck said firefighting agencies have been able to meet the demand, aided by incident management teams from across the country. However, he emphasized that Washington is not yet out of danger. Dry fuels remain widespread; temperatures are expected to remain above normal; and officials are still waiting for the season-ending precipitation event that typically brings fire season to a close. 

"We're not out of the fire season yet," Rodruck said. "The weather is really going to dictate what the rest of that season looks like." 

Rodruck said throughout the years he has worked for DNR, the fire season has ranged from ending at the middle of September to the end of November.  

“At this time, we don’t know when the season will end,” Rodruck said.  

Officials are urging residents to continue following burn bans, avoid activities that could create sparks and maintain evacuation plans, particularly in wildfire-prone areas. With conditions expected to remain favorable for fire growth in parts of the state, Rodruck said prevention remains one of the most effective tools available. 

"The easiest wildland fire to fight is the one that never starts in the first place," he said. 

Active blazes in Wash: 

Backbone Fire: 17 acres. 35% contained. Started Aug. 5. Lewis County. Lightning caused. The total estimated cost is $6 million.  

Border 2 Fire: 7,467 acres. 41% contained. Started July 16. Whatcom County. Lightning caused. The total estimated cost is $3.5 million.  

Bradeen Hill Fire: 4,417 acres. 92% containment. Started July 25. Stevens County. Human caused. The total estimated cost is $14.9 million. 

Colwash Fire: 39,073 acres. 42% containment. Started Aug. 22. Yakima County. Lightning caused. The total estimated cost is $15 million.  

Goat Fire: 178 acres. No containment. Started Aug. 22. Kittitas County. Lightning caused. The total estimated cost is unknown at this time.  

Grand Park 2 Fire: 168 acres. 78% containment. Started Aug. 7. Pierce County. Unknown cause. The total estimated cost is $20 million.  

High Lava Fire: 1,915 acres. 25% containment. Started July 23. Skamania County. Lightning or natural cause. The total estimated cost is $20 million.  

Hill Loop Fire: 127 acres. 72% contained. Started Aug. 20. Stevens County. Human caused. The total cost is $1.4 million.  

Hudspeth Fire: 6,726 acres. 96% contained. Started Aug. 1. Stevens County. Unknown cause. The total estimated cost is $4.9 million.  

Kaiser Canyon Fire: 138,293 acres. 98% contained. Started July 16. Okanogan County. Lighting caused. The total estimated cost is $75 million.  

King Fire: 558 acres. No containment. Started Aug. 19. Kittitas County. Lightning caused. The total estimated cost is $10 million.  

Little Giant Fire: 147,537 acres. 21% containment. Started July 15. Chelan County. Lightning caused. The total estimated cost is $100 million.  

Luna Fire: 4,758 acres. No containment. Started July 24. Whatcom County. Unknown cause. The total estimated cost is $5 million.  

Modrite Fire: 57,594 acres. 98% contained. Started July 17. Ferry County. Lightning or natural caused. The total estimated cost is $70 million.   

Ptarmigan Fire: 24,770 acres. 55% contained. Started July 17. Okanogan County. Lightning or natural caused. The total estimated cost is $10 million. 

Reevas Basin Fire: 233 acres. 80% contained. Started Aug. 15. Okanogan County. Human caused. The total estimated cost is $100,000. 

Sinlahekin Fire: 155,491 acres. 53% contained. Started July 26. Okanogan County. Lightning or natural caused. The total estimated cost is $100 million.  

Sisi Fire: 878 acres. No containment. Started Aug. 14. Chelan County. Lighting caused. The total estimated cost is $10 million.  

Skyo Fire: 254 acres. 99% contained. Started July 22. Lewis County. Lightning caused. The total estimated cost is $6 million.  

Three Queens Fire: 7,285 acres. 13% containment. Started July 15. Kittitas County. Lightning or natural caused. The total estimated cost is $85 million.  

Wells Road Fire: 1,865 acres. 78% contained. Started Aug. 8. Whitman County. Unknown cause. The total estimated cost is $820,000. 

Wonderland Complex fires: 8 acres. No containment. Started Aug. 24. Pierce County. Unknown cause. The total estimated cost is unknown.  

SOURCES: INCIWEB AND NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER.