A wildfire near Coulee City has grown significantly and is now threatening structures and critical infrastructure, prompting state officials to mobilize additional firefighting resources. The Garred Road Fire, which started Sunday at about 4:01 p.m., has expanded to an estimated 3,500 acres and continues to grow, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Earlier Monday, Coulee City Fire Chief Jesse Bolyard said the fire had rekindled after initially burning nearly 500 acres Sunday. Level 3 (Leave Now) evacuations remain in place for the Sun Lakes area, and both State Route 17 and U.S. Highway 2 are closed near the fire, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
State Fire Marshal officials said the fire is burning in sagebrush and dry grass, and is threatening primary and secondary homes, wheat fields, infrastructure and the Sun Lakes State Park campground. The fire was human-caused, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The growing severity of the fire prompted state mobilization efforts Monday afternoon.
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the use of statewide firefighting resources at 12:45 p.m. at the request of Bolyard. Under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan, additional crews and equipment from across the state can be deployed when local resources are overwhelmed.
Columbia Basin Herald – Metered Site
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