Douglas County, Washington – Brush Fire Covers Area of 800-900 Acres

Douglas County, Washington (October 29, 2019) – A fire that started near milepost 20 on State Route 28 has grown to an area of 800-900 acres by Tuesday evening. While the area contains a few residences and power lines, none are reported to be threatened by the fire and no evacuations or road closures have been announced. No injuries have been reported so far.

The fire was first reported to be a 10-15 acre brush fire at midday Tuesday. Douglas County firefighters are working on the blaze, with assistance from Grant County Fire District 3, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service. The cause of the fire under investigation, but it is believed to be man-made.

About Fire

Washington counts as the 5th state most prone to wildfire from 2017 wildfire risk analysis, and ranks 8th in a 2018 study by number of fires that happened. The US Fire Administration has recorded 15 home fire fatalities this year within Washington, showing the destruction fire is capable of doing. Even within city areas, one must be wary of fires that can happen near residential areas.

If your home is near an area with risk of brush fire, there are few safety reminders to keep in mind. Homeowners are urged to complete their spring cleaning, and to create a defensible space around the home by clearing trees and brush. Additionally, the limbs of trees should be cut to at least 15 feet off the ground. Any object that send out fires should be handled with absolute care. Common objects such as lit matches and cigarette butts can also easily cause a fire within dry brush. Should fire be used in an outdoor space, one must assess the surroundings to make sure fire would not have a possibility to spread out. While the fire is burning, it is imperative that it must be attended to and ensure that the blaze does not go out of control. Finally, before leaving an area where fire was used, one must ensure that any fires must be extinguished completely. Preventing brush fires from happening is everyone’s responsibility, and careful use of fire can ensure the safety of not only one’s self, but hundreds of others.

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