Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
EWAN – A fire that broke out Thursday afternoon was in patrol status on Monday, Aug. 22.
The Wagner Road Fire broke out at about 2:04 p.m. Aug. 18 and grew to nearly 800 acres by late Thursday evening, officials said. The blaze was burning in dry grass, and in stubble and active wheat fields.
The dry grass and brush was taller than two feet, officials said, noting in many areas the height exceeded 4 feet.
That night the fire flared up and grew to about 7,000 acres, officials said.
As of Monday, state fire officials estimated the blaze at 7,381 acres. With the blaze fully contained, state mobilization was expected to end and the incident command be returned to local fire crews.
Over the weekend, fire crews patrol the perimeter for hotspots, extinguishing a “few” that were discovered.
At the height of the fire last week, Fire Boss fixed-wing aircraft and helitack teams assisted in containing the fire.
All evacuation notices have been lifted for the area.
The fire was one of several that have burned in the area near St. John over the last two weeks.
On Thursday, Aug. 11, volunteer firefighters were called to the Hole in the Ground area north of Rock Lake.
A second fire ignited in the Rock Lake area the following afternoon on Friday, Aug. 12.
The wildland fire was estimated to have begun around 1 p.m. near Miller.
Volunteer firefighters from St. John initially responded to the burn, but volunteers from Lamont, Steptoe and Rosalia later assisted and state mobilization was requested.
Two “super scooper” planes responded to battle the fire from above, holding that blaze to 200 acres.
Another spot fire popped up along Interstate 90 near the Fishtrap Lake area last week, as well.
Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.
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