LAKE SPOKANE

## Lake Spokane Fire Report - July 28, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Lake Spokane Fire ignited on Saturday, July 19, 2025, around 1:15 p.m. near the Lake Spokane Campground, outside of Nine Mile Falls, Washington. **Size and Containment**: As of July 28, 2025, the fire has burned approximately 2,500+ acres and is reported to be 83% contained. Previous reports indicated 2,462 acres with 16% containment as of July 24, 2025. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is burning in timber and brush. Initial reports indicated rapid growth, with the fire spreading toward the north and northeast. While fire behavior has been minimal in recent days, with creeping and smoldering, the terrain is described as steep, rugged, and difficult to access. **Containment Efforts**: Firefighting efforts are focused on securing and mopping up the fire perimeter. Crews are utilizing hose lays to cool heat sources and working to reduce fuels. There are approximately 510 firefighters assigned to the incident. The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is managing the incident, with support from various agencies. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Evacuation Orders**: As of July 26, 2025, evacuation levels have been reduced. Within the fire perimeter, evacuations are at Level 2 (Get Set). Areas from Happy Hills to Rail Canyon are now at Level 1 (Be Ready). Previously, Level 3 ("Go Now!") evacuations were in place for the Happy Hills area. **Evacuation Shelters**: An evacuation shelter has been established at Lakeside High School, located at 5909 WA-291 in Nine Mile Falls, WA. The rodeo grounds in Springdale are accepting large animals. **Impacted Population**: While specific numbers of people impacted by evacuations are not readily available, reports indicate dozens of people have been evacuated from their homes. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** * Highway 291 and Corkscrew Canyon Road are experiencing impacts from air and ground firefighting operations, with potential for delays and temporary closures. * The boat launch at Lake Spokane Campground is closed to allow aircraft safe access to Long Lake. * WSDOT has conducted burns near Highway 291 to support firefighting efforts, which has led to flagging of traffic, pilot car escorts, and temporary road closures. **For more information, visit:** * [Stevens County Evacuation Map]: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bit.ly/SCAdvisoryMap&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1722195600000000&usg=AOvVaw0L9L3r9o5r6o_0l-5yJ9Z0 (Note: This is a shortened link provided in search results.) * [Northeast Washington Fire Information]: This information is often disseminated through social media or incident updates, specific URLs are not consistently provided in the search results. * [Washington State DNR Wildfire Information]: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/wildfires ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: At least one primary residential structure has been lost, and a handful of structures have been damaged. The official count of structures lost is still being determined. **School and Business Closures**: No specific school or business closures directly related to the Lake Spokane Fire have been reported in the last 72 hours. **Notable Impacts**: The fire has generated significant smoke, described as "thick as pea soup" in some areas. Fire-weakened trees, unstable ground, and ash pits are present within the fire perimeter, posing hazards to residents returning to their homes. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages**: No power outages directly attributed to the Lake Spokane Fire have been reported in the last 72 hours. **Water Safety**: No specific water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans**: County-wide fire danger restrictions on outdoor burning are in effect, including most recreational fires. **Air Quality**: As of July 28, 2025, Spokane's air quality is in the "Good" category (AQI 42), with a forecast for continued good air quality due to reduced wildfire activity and light winds. Earlier in the week, smoke from fires did contribute to "Moderate" air quality. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: With 83% containment reported as of July 28, 2025, efforts are focused on strengthening containment lines and mopping up hot spots. Firefighters are working to ensure that established lines hold against potential fire behavior. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: The weather forecast for Spokane indicates sunny and hot conditions with mostly calm winds for Monday and Tuesday (July 28-29). Winds are expected to be out of the southwest and may increase slightly over the weekend. While temperatures are expected to remain warm, there is a slight chance of rain later in the week. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The Lake Spokane Fire is being investigated, but it is confirmed to be human-caused. **Weather and Climate**: The fire occurred during a period of warm and dry conditions, which are conducive to wildfire spread. The ongoing hot temperatures and potential for increased winds in the coming days will continue to be a factor in fire behavior and containment efforts. ### For more information, visit: * [Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildfire Information]: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/wildfires * [Stevens County Emergency Management]: Information is often disseminated through local government websites or social media channels. * [Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC)]: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/

Citations