Newsbriefs

Rec softball gets underway

The Grand Coulee Summer Softball League is ready to play ball!

The 15 teams who signed up will be playing at North Dam Park, Monday through Thursday, for 10 weeks from June to August, culminating in the league tournament on August 17-18.

Games will be held at 6 and 7:15 p.m., played simultaneously on both the North Dam upper and lower fields, for four games in total each evening.

Wildfire strikes near Soap Lake

Homes were evacuated after a wildfire caught in the Lower Grand Coulee Tuesday about 4:30 p.m.

The fire, now dubbed the “Soap Lake Fire” started along SR- 17 four miles north of Soap Lake. Grant County Fire District 7 responded and quickly requested mutual aid from surrounding communities as the fire grew rapidly in strong winds. 

Firefighters from numerous state, federal and local agencies battled the fire through the night and into the early morning hours. Their efforts saved numerous homes and outbuildings. Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation orders were issued for approximately 50 residents in the area, authorities said.

At 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized state fire mobilization at the request of Fire Chief Kirk Sheppard, Grant County Fire District 7. 

State mobilization resources from around the state have arrived and crews continued to work to strengthen containment lines in moderate terrain. 

The fire burned approximately 2000 acres of grass, sage and brush and was 50 percent contained as of 8 p.m. Tuesday.

One small outbuilding was lost overnight, but no injuries were reported.  

The Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 has assumed command of the fire and has established a command post and fire camp in Soap Lake. Level 2 evacuation orders remain in place for affected residents, but no roads were closed.