Fire jumps Snake River, burns at Wawawai

Flames and smoke spread across Wawawai Road.

-Bill Carroll photos

Firefighters watch smoke coming out of the canyon.

Gazette intern reporter

As of press time, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, a wild fire continues to burn after it jumped the Snake River in Garfield County and spread into south Whitman County. The fire, which started in the evening hours of Tuesday, Aug. 2, from suspicious causes, has burned 3,000 acres on the Whitman County side of the river, which forced officials to evacuate homes primarily on Wawawai Road, as well as the Baker Road area. Officials were also forced to close State Route 194.

“The wind was blowing very hard when we began, and the fire was fast moving, and continued to jump fire lines that were created with tractors and disks,” said Bill Carroll, who was on the scene.

The fire, which state officials estimate has burned 11,000 acres total on both sides of the Snake River, quickly spread Tuesday evening throughout several canyons. Firefighters, which include crews and volunteers from Adams, Asotin, Franklin, Garfield, Whitman counties, were assisted throughout the night by crews from Deary, Genesee, Moscow and Troy as well. The total number of crew members on the scene combating the fire totaled between 150 and 200 who stayed on either side of the Snake River throughout the night.

“State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Snake River Fire located in Whitman and Garfield counties near the Towns of Colton, Uniontown, Clarkston and Pomeroy,” stated Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Gannie, in a press release Tuesday.

Most of the active burning Wednesday morning was located on the eastern edge near Baker Road. No homes have been lost; however, one barn succumbed to the flames.

According to Carroll, a section of the fire was mostly contained by 2 a.m, besides a portion that was burning down the Wawawai grade.

“Most towns and cities in eastern Washington south of Spokane, plus some Idaho departments responded, providing dozens of fire engines. Tenders seemed to appear from all over too,” said Carroll.

As of 8 p.m. Tuesday evening, State Emergency Management was mobilizing to the fire after being approved by Washington Emergency Management. Additionally, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on Aug. 2, 2016, at 6:30 pm at the request of Chief John Dahmen of Whitman County Fire District 14, and Chief Kris Darby, Garfield County Fire District #1, according to state officials.

“The fire is threatening range, pastures, crops and structures. Evacuation orders have been issued for the threatened structures. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered 10 wild land strike teams, four hand crews, and aircraft,” stated Gannie.

The fire was noticed by witnesses on the Whitman County side at Granite Point around noon. Witnesses then notified Whitman County Parks ranger at Wawawai Park, who called 911 who notified Garfield County authorities in Pomeroy. Whitman County firefighters were called to stand by and were then put to use once the fire jumped across the river.