No injuries have been reported in two fires still burning that erupted Saturday on the Palouse, destroying six buildings.
It’s not clear yet if the structures are homes, barns or outbuildings, said Bethany Osgood, a public information officer assigned to the fires with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Northeast Interagency Incident Management Team 3.
A Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation order for Malden was lowered Sunday to Level 2 (Be Ready), said Osgood, part of a team that the state of Washington has mobilized to battle the Wells Road Fire near Malden and the Palouse River Fire near Colfax.
The evacuation status of Rosalia went from Level 2 to Level 1, where residents should be diligent and prepared to pack, she said.
The evacuation alert for State Route 272 to Parvin Road near Colfax was downgraded to Level 2, according to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
“Fire crews have successfully halted the fire’s progress overnight,” according to the post.
One of the crews battling the fire credited a helicopter from the Department of Natural Resources for its work in a Facebook post.
“(The) pilot successfully operated over extremely steep and hazardous terrain that would have otherwise required hand-line access,” according to a post from Whitman County Fire District 11 (Diamond.)
“The pilot remained on scene until nearly dark, providing critical support that – combined with a short deployment of a three-person hand crew – halted the fire’s progress,” according to the post.
“Fire crews have successfully halted the fire’s progress overnight,” according to the post.
The Wells Road Fire near Malden destroyed four structures, was at 2,000 acres and 0% containment, which means it has the potential to get bigger, Osgood said.
A total of 75 firefighters from multiple jurisdictions and agencies have been assigned to that blaze, she said.
The Palouse River Fire leveled two buildings, was at 600 acres, and like the Wells Road Fire, is at 0% containment, Osgood said.
Thirty firefighters are battling that fire and more have been ordered, she said.
Law enforcement is requesting the public stay away from the South Palouse River Road area, according to the Whitman County Sheriff’s office Facebook post.
“Spot fires, downed trees, and down power lines continue to create hazardous conditions,” according to the post. “Avista crews are on scene and working to restore power.”
The firefighting personnel, which are being assisted by aircraft, are based at a closed campus at the high school in St. John.
The situation is reawakening fears left by the devastation of the Babb Road Fire that struck Malden in 2020 on Labor Day weekend. Its post office, city hall, library, fire station, a gas station and 67 homes were lost.
The team understands those concerns, Osgood said, and will be digging a containment line around the Wells Road Fire in the next 24 hours.
“We’re aggressively doing a direct attack strategy to be sure the fire doesn’t grow,” she said.
The weather today is expected to be milder than Saturday with temperatures peaking between 85 and 88 degrees and wind gusts of between 5 and 10 mph, but the area is in a drought with extra dry fuels that ignite quicker, she said.
Investigators are on the scene seeking the causes of both fires, which haven’t yet been determined, Osgood said.
“We want to reassure everyone that we’re doing everything we can to keep everyone safe,” she said.
Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.
The evacuation alert for State Route 272 to Parvin Road near Colfax was downgraded to Level 2, according to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.