UPDATE July 3, 3:41 P.M.
According to the Northeast Washington Interagency, the Siegel Fire is burning primarily between Bonnie Lake and South Texas Ferry Road and has grown to 680 acres.
Officials said the fire started around 3 p.m. Wednesday and spread rapidly to the north, driven by strong winds as a cold front moved through the area.
Aerial resources were used to slow the fire’s head with water drops, while hand crews and a bulldozer worked to establish both direct and indirect containment lines where terrain allowed. Along indirect lines, crews successfully conducted burnout operations to remove fuels and halt the fire’s forward progress. Fire engines were able to engage in direct attack in areas with lighter fuels, also helping to stop the fire’s spread.
A spot fire crossed South Texas Ferry Road but was quickly lined and contained. However, portions of the fire’s northern edge remain uncontained.
The fire is believed to be human-caused, but the investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE July 3, at 3:17 P.M.
Level 3 evacuations remain in place for the area between Bonnie Lake and South Texas Ferry Road.
According to the FireNet Resource Center, fire crews are attempting to connect the fire line around the fire’s perimeter. They are navigating steep cliffs and uneven terrain as they make efforts to achieve containment.
The fire is reportedly still uncontained in parts of its northern head.
The management of the fire is being assigned to the Northeast Washington Interagency Type 3 Incident Management, Team 2.
UPDATE July 3, at 7 A.M.
The Texas Ferry Fire continues to burn between Rosalia and Bonnie Lake, growing to more than 450 acres. Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations are still in effect, impacting five homes in the area.
Fire crews reported minimal growth of the fire overnight, but the fire remains at 0% containment as of this morning, according to Battalion Chief Alex Turner.
“We had resources on it all night,” Turner said. “They were active as well in improving those containment lines. A lot of patrolling, making sure that the fire stayed where it was. We had very minimal growth overnight.”
The fire started near the lake, but the exact cause is still under investigation. No injuries or structural damage have been reported so far.
The level 3 evacuations remain in place to ensure the safety of residents.
UPDATE 6:26 P.M.
Fire crews said the Texas Ferry/Siegel Fire has grown to 450 acres.
They also said a state mobilization of a Type 3 team was approved and deployed as of 6:18 p.m. Firefighters said that the incident is expected to be prolonged, and five homes are currently within the evacuation zone.
UPDATE 6:17 P.M.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources said the fire has grown to 400 acres.
UPDATE 6 P.M.
Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations have expanded for the 150-acre Texas Ferry Fire near Bonnie Lake.
According to Spokane County Emergency Management, the evacuation area now extends:
North from Bonnie Lake to West Cheney Plaza RoadEast to South Wells RoadSouth to Bafus PlaceWest to Bonnie Lake
UPDATE 5:50 P.M.
According to Spokane County Fire District 3, the fire is 0% contained, and crews are still actively working to suppress it.
Fire crews said the fire has jumped South Texas Ferry Road, and evacuation orders are expected to expand.
UPDATE 4:11 P.M.
Spokane County Fire District 3 said Air Operations estimate the fire at 50 acres. It is actively torching and spotting.
Fire crews said the blaze is mostly burning in the canyon and “tearing it up.” They added the fire is about to crest the top of the canyon, where crews have resources staged and ready.
Crews also said they’ve struggled to access the lake area where the fire started, but the flames have since climbed to higher ground, where resources are now positioned.
Fire crews said that police have been called in to help with traffic on South Texas Ferry Road and told residents to avoid the area.
UPDATE 3:58
Level 3 evacuations (Go Now) have been issued from Bonnie Lake to Texas Ferry Road, extending to the north tip of Bonnie Lake.
Level 3 means go now. You are in immediate danger. Even if you don’t see the threat, follow your evacuation plan and leave immediately. Delaying could cost lives. If you stay, rescue may not be possible.
ROSALIA, Wash. — Spokane County Fire District 3 firefighters are battling a brush fire near Bonnie Lake.
According to the fire district, crews began responding around 3:20 p.m. Wednesday to a fire initially reported at 2:51 p.m. near West Cheney Plaza and South Texas Ferry Road.
Firefighters said they are working to locate the smoke column and believe the fire is on or near Bonnie Lake. The area is difficult to access, described as a box canyon with limited nearby roads.
Officials said the Washington State Department of Natural Resources will send air resources to help fight the fire.
