Single Publication

News Release – Lower Granite Fire

  July 30th, 2024

Pomeroy, WA: The Lower Granite Fire started about 12:15pm on July 29th, 2024.  The fire quickly spread east with strong, gusty winds, threatening croplands, cattle, rangeland and structures.  Garfield County Fire District 1 initially responded to the fire, working with local farmers and ranchers to stop the fire progression.  As the fire continued to grow, aerial support and additional resources were requested.  Washington State Patrol authorized the response of state firefighting resources, mobilizing four strike teams of district fire engines to respond to the fire.

Wildland crews worked with aerial resources local farmers and rancher to stop fire progression throughout the evening.  Garfield County Fire District 1 patrolled structures in the area, located and extinguishing discovered hot spots around structures. 

Strike teams have been arriving throughout today, relieving local initial attack crews and engaging in structure protection and mitigation.  Hand crews have been strengthening fire line and removing unburned fuels in steep, rugged terrain south of Wawawaii Grade, where two fingers of the fire burned down towards the Snake River.    

Northeast Washington Incident Management Team Type 3, Team 1 is assuming command of the fire on July 30th, working with Garfield County Fire District 1 in fire suppression efforts. 

Level 2 and Level 1 Evacuations remain in effect. Current evacuations are updated on the Garfield County Sheriff's Facebooks page at https:www.facebook.com/GarfieldCountySheriff