Fire breaks out in rural Mattawa prompting potential evacuation
The command post for units as they work to tackle the fire in rural Mattawa Saturday morning. As of the early afternoon, the fire was in full mop up and the evacuation notice was lifted.
COURTESY PHOTO/GCSO
MATTAWA — A brushfire at the 21000-block Road 24.1 SW in rural Mattawa was reported at around 8:20 a.m. Saturday in an area of high fuels and high winds, prompting possible evacuation for nearby residents. Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Kyle Foreman, said fire units had gotten the fire under control by about 10:50 a.m.
“First arriving units found heavy fuel with the fire,” said Foreman. “We also had winds of greater than 20 mph pushing the fire towards homes, so we notified homeowners nearby and they prepared to evacuate if it became necessary.”
The incident commander from Grant County Fire District 8 requested additional resources which prompted Fire District 3, 7 and 13 to send personnel on scene.
Foreman said the initial windshield view of the burn was thought to be about 15 acres, but by 11:30 a.m. Saturday the spread was estimated to be up to 50 acres. The dry fuels and wind along with the rocky terrain, which made it hard for vehicles to access the area, allowed the fire to spread.
Fortunately, the fire was contained by 10:50 a.m. with no losses to any structures and no injuries, he said. Once the fire was contained, the evacuation notice was also lifted as firefighters worked to mop up hotspots throughout the area of the fire.
“We’re not seeing any driving smoke anymore, so they’re going to be driving around putting fires out for the next few hours,” said Foreman. “Just making sure it’s out so it doesn’t rekindle.”
The cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation, he said. GCSO wants to remind the community that there is a county wide burn ban from June 1 through Sept. 30 during the dry season due to the risk of wildfire.
“We ask people to not conduct any outdoor burning,” said Foreman. “There is some outdoor burning which is permitted (and limited).”
More information on the rules and regulations on what is permissible during the burn ban can be found on the Grant County Fire Marshal’s webpage.
“As we usually do, we’ve got a lot of fuel, a lot of grass, a lot of sagebrush, and it’s all primed for burning,” said Foreman. “If citizens can help us by not causing a fire risk, then the firefighters and the communities would be grateful.”