There are two large fires currently burning.  They are identified as the Barker Canyon Fire and the Leahey Fire.  The fires are in the NE corner of Douglas County.

 

The Barker Canyon Fire started 5 miles west of Grand Coulee Dam

following Saturdays lightening storm.  The fire has grown to nearly 15,000

acres in size. 

 

Fire units from throughout the state are battleing the  blaze.

Road graders from Douglas County Public Works, bulldozers, and

helicopters are being used to establish fire lines.  

 

Highway. 174 has been closed periodically between Leahey Junction

and Coulee Dam due to smoke and fire apparatus on the roadway.  High

winds made firefighting extremely difficult yesterday and DouglasCounty

has declared a state of emergency due to the fires. 

 

The Leahey Fire near Leahy Junction grew to  over 13,000 acres in

yesterdays high winds

 

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Coulee Dam Police Department issued approximately 75 level 1 to level 3 evacuation notices. The Red Cross has set up a shelter at the senior center in Grand Coulee.   

 

There have been no reported injuries and no confirmed reports of property damage.  Command of the fires was turned over to a state incident command team last night.