Wheat saved from fire near Wilbur Hill

A fire in the "Wilbur Hill" area, called the Neal Canyon fire, burned about 70 acres of  grass brush and light timber on July 24.

The fire, the cause of which is still under investigation, started on a hill near milepost 27 on SR- 174 at roughly 11 a.m. on July 24 and had "high spread potential," according to Veronica Randall, public information officer for the Colville-based Northeast Washington InterAgency Communication Center. 

The fire had been moving toward wheat fields above the hill, where firefighters concentrated their efforts. They were able to prevent the fire from reaching the fields.

The fire also moved toward the highway, where traffic was restricted and firefighters kept an eye on the flames, making sure it didn't cross the highway.

Grand Coulee Fire Chief Ryan Fish, who served as incident commander at the scene, said local firefighters stayed until about 9 p.m., and that the Bureau of Land Management did final mop-up the following day.

The fire burned private land but the BLM has land nearby directly threatened by the fire, Randall explained. 

The BLM also provided air support at the fire with two crop dusters, three planes, and two helicopters.

In addition to the BLM and Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department, firefighters from Lincoln County, the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Natural Resources, Hartline, and Coulee City helped on the fire.

There were also officers on scene from the Washington State Patrol and Grand Coulee Police Department.