Wawawai Fire rages, burns over 500 acres

PULLMAN -The Washington State Fire Marshal's Office reports that state fire assistance was mobilized on Tuesday, July 25, at 1:45 a.m. to contain a fire near Pullman on Wawawai Road in the Snake River Canyon, a half a mile west of the Wawawai Campground, 13501 Wawawai Road, Colton.

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources at the request of Fire Chief Whitman County Fire District 12, Lester Erwin, states reports.

Public Information Officer for the Wawawai fire, Guy Gifford, stated that the fire was reported at approximately 9:02 p.m. Wednesday, local fire crews from Districts 12, 13, and 14 responded.

Gifford stated that Thursday morning, crews were supported by two local helicopters.

"The fire started midslope," Gifford said, noting that the fire now started from the Snake River from the field at the top.

Gifford added that the fire did not experience any rain on Monday, and rapid-fire spread due to the steep slopes and high winds.

The mobilization of the state allowed additional resources from outside the area to respond, Gifford stated, adding that they had five strike teams, four 20-person crews, two dozers, and helicopters available Tuesday afternoon, focusing on constructing containment lines around the fire.

Gifford reported to the Gazette Tuesday that there was currently no active fire spread, and the most significant threat was the gusty winds.

He stated that concerns had to do with what the winds would do to the control lines of the fire. Gifford explained that a control line is what is put around the fire to contain it.

Gifford explained that the Snake River is the bottom of the control line for the Wawawai Fire.

As of Tuesday, the fire had burned approximately 500 acres and was not contained.

The fire is burning grass, brush and is threatening crops, rangeland, and infrastructure, including 911 communication towers.

A level-one evacuation was in order, which Gifford explained was telling citizens of the area to pay attention to the weather, what direction the wind was coming from, and to note smoke in the area.

Wawawai County Park is closed due to the fire.

Gifford stated that the cause of the fire was still under investigation Tuesday afternoon and transitioned to a type three management team.

UPDATE: July 27, 2023

PULLMAN-- According to reports, the Wawawai fire is 10 miles southwest of Pullman today, Thursday, July 27.

The fire has burned approximately 526 acres, is currently 50 percent contained, and the cause is determined to be lightning.

Reports state that there are four hand crews, 15 engines, three dozers, and one helicopter currently on the incident, with 170 personnel handling the fire.

Fire crews will continue along the east and west flanks of the fire to construct and secure containment lines, reports state. Crews are expected to secure containment along the fire's south side today.

Reports state that temperatures will increase to a high of 88 degrees with a minimum relative humidity of 18 percent, and winds will be from the west at four to nine miles per hour, reaching gust speeds of up to 15 miles per hour in the afternoon.

All evacuation levels are removed.

UPDATE: July 28, 2023

PULLMAN- The Wawawai Fire reported Monday, July 24, at (:02 p.m. near Snake River on Wawawai Road is located 10 miles southwest of Pullman and is 99 percent contained today, Friday, July 28.

Reports state that fire crews are being released to their home units, and the fire command was transferred from Northeast Incident Management Team Three to Whitman County Fire District 12 at 8 a.m.

The fire has burned approximately 526 acres of range, grass, and cropland.

The cause of the fire was determined to be lightning, according to reports.

Northeast Incident Management teams state that they are thankful to the local community and the Pullman School District for assisting in successfully managing the Wawawai Fire.