Local crews contain Schrag Fire

The Journal

SCHRAG - Local fire crews bolstered by units from as far away as Ephrata, Royal Slope and Moses Lake kept a wildfire in check last Tuesday, Aug. 27, containing it to about 5 acres.

According to the Adams County Sheriff's Office, the fire, dubbed the Scrag Fire, started about noon by a farmer who was mowing. The flames spread quickly in the area of Schrag Road and state Highway 21 into a long line, Sheriff Dale Wagner said, noting two vacant buildings were destroyed.

Local fire crews called for state assistance, which arrived about 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Responding agencies included crews from Adams County Fire Districts Nos. 1, 2, 6 and 7. Odessa; Grant County Fire Districts Nos. 4, 5 and 8; Ephrata; and Moses Lake also dispatched fire crews.

The crews kept the flames contained south of Interstate 90.

Resident Valerie Maier evacuated from the fire area; she said she was glad fire crews responded quickly.

"I want to express the immense gratitude I have to everyone involved in battling the fire that swept through our property by Schrag Road on Tuesday," Maier said. "Without their amazing efforts, the situation could have been so much worse for many of us out here.

Meanwhile, a second fire was reported Tuesday along U.S. Highway 395 near Milepost 64. That blaze was quelled by Adams County Fire District No. 5 and Franklin County Fire District No. 1.

"We appreciate our local fire crews, an amazing group of volunteers," Wagner said on social media.