"Barker Canyon" fire starts an early season

About a dozen local firefighters this Friday night are attacking a wildfire across Banks Lake from the Grand Coulee Dam Airport.

The fire is suspected to have started from a lightning strike in the storm that passed through the area about 4 pm.

Eight firefighters, who were taken to the site by boat, are on foot at the fire, which is not large at this time. No flame is visible from Grant County Fire District 14's incident command at the airport. White and grey smoke is visible, hugging the ground.

With humidity at just 20 percent, conditions are about a month early, commented Rick Paris. He said he's never before seen lightning start a fire in May.

The fire is not actually close to Barker Canyon, whIch is further in the distance.