State crews wrap up Railroad Fire mobilization response

 BEVERLY — A state mobilization response to the Railroad Fire at Lower Crab Creek in Grant County largely concluded Monday night.

Separately, State Route 28 reopended last night after a wildfire in the Trinidad Hill/Crescent Bar area was brought under control, said authorities.

The Railroad Fire was initially reported around 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, and Level 3 evacuations were issued to all residents in the Beverly and Schawana townships and along Lower Crab Creek Road for several miles east of State Route 243. By Friday morning, lower-tier evacuation advisories were in place between Jericho and Smyrna and rural Mattawa along Saddle Mountain north of Road 24-SW.

No injuries were reported. Cause of the fire was undetermined and still under investigation, said the Southeast Washington Interagency Management Team, which coordinated the multi-agency firefighting response. The fire burned over 8,200 acres of grass and sage while threatening crops and homes.

On Monday, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office said investigators over the weekend determined that the blaze had damaged at least 10 residential structures, 22 non-residential outbuildings and structures, and 18 other properties such as chicken coops and recreational vehicles.  Various area roads and some Grant PUD recreation sites along the Columbia River were also initially closed but later reopened.

In a Facebook post this morning (Tuesday, July 28), the SWIMT said a local incident command and agencies will continue patrolling the fire zone, including the “dirty job” of flattening earthen berms created by bulldozers and looking for embers and hot spots to extinguish. Citizens were asked to call 911 to report any emergencies.

Authorities thanked all the agencies, emergency responders, volunteers, and those providing relief assistance during the incident, particularly the Wahluke School District and surrounding Mattawa community. “You took such great care of our team and the firefighters who traveled from all over the state to help out,” SWIMT incident commander Leonard Johnson said in this morning's message.

Johnson said airspace restrictions had been lifted and most of the crew had already been sent to help with other fires in the region.

The sheriff’s office said cash donations to the American Red Cross offer “the most flexibility” in helping those affected by fires and other disasters.

The office also also cautioned about potential scams by anyone promising immediate cleanup and debris removal following such incidents. Suggested tips — ask for identification, licenses, and proof of insurance. Get agreements in writing, don’t provide personal information, and don’t pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cash. Never make a final payment until work is completed to your satisfaction.

Trinidad fire controlled, highway reopened

TRINIDAD — A car fire is suspected of starting a blaze which temporarily closed State Route 28 between Road U-NW/White Trail Road and the Grant-Douglas county line just west of Crescent Bar Road Monday evening.

Shortly after 6 p.m., a Level 3 (leave now) evacuation notice was issued for rural residents in the area, but was lowered to Level 2 (be prepared to leave) shortly afterward, said the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

 Crews from Grant County Fire District No. 3 responded to the fire, which burned about 100 acres on uneven terrain on both sides of the highway, but was considered under control by 7:10 p.m.

The highway reopened around 11 p.m.

Aside from the vehicle which started the fire, there were no other reports of property damage or injuries, said sheriff’s office spokesman Kyle Foreman.