Wildfire — Northeast Blue Mountains, Washington

2021-08-01 to 2021-08-26 · Northeast Blue Mountains, Washington

Event narrative

Lightning ignited several wildfires across Garfield and Asotin counties on July 7th: Dry Gulch, Lick Creek, and Silcott. The Silcott Fire was contained in four days after burning 8,633 acres. By the 8th, Dry Gulch and Lick Creek fires merged and were fought as Lick Creek Fire until containment on August 26th. Steep slopes with insect infestation and dead material from past fires hindered access to fight the fire. The hot and dry conditions added to the vast acreage burned. The cost of the firefighting resources required to contain the 80,638 acre wildfire was calculated at $24,379,000.

Wider weather episode

Overnight and early morning scattered showers on July 7th, with embedded lightning, ignited several wildfires as they passed across the region. Weeks of hot and dry conditions fueled fires across southeastern Washington throughout August.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 978141. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.