Local News

Officials Expect Containment Today on Washington Flats Fire

By NCBI
Aug 23, 2011

Firefighters expect to contain the Washington Flats fire today. The fire has now burned 1,100 acres northwest of Grand Coulee Dam.

Fire spokesman Jeff Sevigney says a level one evacuation advisory remains in place for up to 20 structures in the area.

No injuries have been reported, structures lost or roads closed.

The fire, which was reported at 2 p.m. Sunday, burned through heavy sage and grass on steep terrain about three miles northwest of Grand Coulee Dam, west of the Columbia River. Local fire crews responded in force as the fire quickly went to three-alarm, summoning crews from Okanogan, Douglas, Grant and Lincoln counties, as well as the Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management.

A state incident management team took over command of the fire Sunday night.

Sevigney said about 250 firefighters will work today to reinforce containment lines and douse hot spots. The fire was 60 percent contained early this morning, and crews expected to have complete containment by 4 p.m. today.


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