VIDEO/PHOTOS: As summer draws to a close, the state’s wildfire season is intensifying, with investigators reporting 15 large fires currently burning across the state. More than 8,000 firefighters have been deployed to combat the flames, a number higher than any other region in the country, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NICC). One of the largest fires, known as the Rattlesnake Fire, is burning in far eastern Washington near Sevens Bay, west of Spokane.
The fire has spread across more than 19,000 acres of the Colville Reservation. Firefighters are battling the blaze both on the ground and from the sky with water drops. As of Thursday morning, the fire was only 33% contained. The Bear Gulch Fire, burning on the north end of Lake Cushman, has grown to 10,629 acres, with containment efforts at 9%, according to fire officials. Ben Hale, the Bear Gulch Fire public information officer, said a season-ending event, such as a soaking rain, could occur this month or early next month, which would allow operations to wrap up and the fire to be handed off to local fire crews.
Some of the other largest fires currently burning include:
- Crown Creek, 1 mile southeast of Marble, is at 14,189 acres and is 15% contained.
- Lower Sugarloaf, 17 miles west of Entiat, is at 13,326 acres and is 0% contained.
- Wildcat, 30 miles west of Naches, is at 7,871 acres and is 8% contained.
Currently, 193 crews are fighting the fires with 449 fire engines and 32 helicopters, the NICC said. The current fires are a combined 84,991 acres.
