Single Publication

Cheney, WA, - The West Hallett Fire was first reported at 1337 on Monday July 31st.  It is located approximately 2 miles West of Highway 195 North of the Cheney Spokane Road.  Crews were assigned to the fire that afternoon and evening and worked since then to contain the fire.  Crews from across the state have arrived and have been assigned to work on the fire.    

The fire is along the North side of the Cheney Spokane Road along the Burlington Northern Railroad Tracks.  Currently there are approximately 200 line and support personnel assigned to the fire.  The fire is 30% contained and is sized at approximately 155 Acres (size will fluctuate as more accurate mapping is obtained).  Washington Department of Natural Resources and Spokane County Fire District 3 have assigned management of the fire to a Northeast Washington Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team.

During today’s shift, firefighters will continue to build on the successes of the last few days and to make progress toward the fire being 100% mopped up.  Train traffic has been completely restored and Inland Power and Light has replaced power poles that burned in the fire.  Resources will continue to monitor hand and dozer lines while continuing with mop up.  Initial mop up is for 300 feet around all structures and 100 foot perimeter around the entire fire working towards 100% extinguishment.

Evacuation levels have been reassessed and will change as of 11 am this morning to level 2 evacuation levels (be set to go) within the perimeter and to level 1 (be Ready to go) adjacent to the fire.  See attached map for clarification.  

The incident command post is located at the Cheney middle School in Cheney WA.  Fire information contact is Eric Keller at 509-481-7064.