FIRE REPORT: Cold front increases fire danger in Grant and Adams Co.

LAKE MOSES – According to the National Weather Service’s Spokane office, a cold front with strong winds will move through the region, worsening the fire danger.

“The cause is a storm moving across the northeast Pacific, reaching northern British Columbia and sending a cold front across Washington overnight,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Valerie Thaler.

The weather system entered the Columbia Basin on Monday night and persisted into the early morning hours. It crossed the Columbia Basin between 3 and 7 a.m. and brought with it fresh winds and colder temperatures on Tuesday.

This will also lead to an increased risk of fire.

“We’re expecting winds of 15 to 22 mph, sustained up to 40 mph,” Thaler said. “So in addition to increased fire dangers, we may also see blowing dust on Interstate 90 in Grant County and rough seas on the lakes.”

There is no risk warning for Grant County, but there is for eastern Adams County around Lind and Ritzville.

“We issued that for high winds and low relative humidities. So we’re forecasting relative humidity in that area of ​​Adams County. Our criteria is a little higher. So when the relative humidity drops to 20% or less and the wind speed is over 15 miles per hour,” Thaler said. “We’re expecting critical fire weather conditions where fires can spread quickly and can’t be controlled, which can impact resources and potentially make it more difficult to immediately put out these fires, which overwhelms resources.”

New fires could spread quickly in the light orange shaded area on the map. A complete fire ban remains in effect, but Thaler wants to remind people that matches, cigarettes and loose chains on cars start many wildfires and keep them aware of them in the coming days.

The cold front is expected to subside by Tuesday evening, Thaler said.

Biggest fires in Washington:

Retreat Fire – largest fire in Washington State. 45,601 acres. 85% contained. Started July 14 at 4:00 p.m. Location: approximately 14 miles southeast of Naches. 228 firefighters.

Pioneer Fire – second largest wildfire in WA. 38,735 acres. 23% contained. Started around 1pm June 8. Located 10 miles southeast of Stehekin. 414 people.

Cougar Creek Fire – third largest fire in WA. 24,091 acres. 80% contained. Started July 15 at 8:00 p.m. Located south of Walla Walla. 226 people.

There were no new fires or containment on Monday.

Other fires:

Easy Fire – 2,130 acres. 36% containment. Started 8:00 p.m. July 17. Located 17 miles west of Mazama along the North Cascades Scenic Highway. 63 people.

Flat Creek Fire – 43 acres. 0% contained. Started Friday. Located in Chelan County, near Flat Creek. Number of firefighters undeclared.

Jupiter Fire/2620 Road Fire – 403 acres. 73% contained. Started Wednesday 5 p.m. West of Brinnon. 403 people.

Kachess Complex – consists of three fires. Stave Creek Fire: 12.1 acres, 35% contained. Thomas Fire: 9 acres, 95% contained. Waptus Fire 0.5 acres, 100% contained. Started August 9. Located in the Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. 155 personnel.

Lodgepole Fire – 35 acres. 6% contained. Started August 12th at 3:30 p.m. Located 16 miles west of Cliffdell. 8 people on fire.

Miners Complex Fires – 1,100 acres. 0% containment. Started July 17. 21 miles east of Darrington. Fire department information unavailable.

Pincer Two Fire – 189 acres. 0% containment. Started July 18. Located 1 mile east of Mineral Park. 15 people.

Ruby Fire – 959 acres. 0% containment. Started 7 a.m. Friday. Whatcom County location. 90 people.

Six Mile Fire – 113 acres. 90% contained. Started Sunday noon. Located in Ferry County near the headwaters of Cottonwood Creek. 25 people.

Shoofly Fire – 104 acres. 63% contained. Ignited July 8. Located 9 miles north of Stevens Pass. No crew information available.

Stranger Creek II Fire – 66 acres. 90% contained. Fire started at 2:17 p.m. Sunday. Location: Ferry County. 44 people.

Stayman Fire – 3,118 acres. 0% contained. Started Tuesday at 2:29 p.m. Fire is in Chelan County. Level one and three evacuation orders are in effect. No information on crew numbers.

Wicked Drive Fire – 698 acres. 65% contained. Started Sunday noon. 24 miles northwest of Spokane. 112 people.

Williams Mine Fire – 11,778 acres. 29% contained. Started noon on August 5. Location: Near the Mount Adams Wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 331 firefighters.

Upper Ruby Fire – 285 acres. 16% contained. Started Tuesday at 3:55 p.m. Located between Ruby Creek and Brown’s Lake. 240 firefighters.

Other fires reported across the state have burned less than 10 acres and are not included in this report. Most fires are less than 1 acre in size.

The wildfire danger in the Columbia Basin remains very high. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has asked residents to be cautious of anything that could cause a wildfire.

Air quality in the Columbia Basin was good on Thursday.

SOURCES: InciWeb/NIFC/WildCAD/AirNow