Wildfire burns 2,500 acres southeast of Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT – A fast-moving brush fire that started around 1 p.m. last Friday, Aug. 4, along State Route 17, about 12 miles southeast of Bridgeport, was fully contained on Monday, August 7, after burning some 2,500 acres and triggering Level 3 evacuations for several homes in the area.

“A Douglas County Deputy on routine patrol spotted a brush fire burning on both sides of Highway 17 between Hayes Road and Road K N.E.,” reported Douglas County Sheriff, Harvey Gjesdal. “He reported the fire was being pushed by strong winds.” 

Gjesdal added that a Level 1 evacuation notice was issued for a three-mile radius around the fire.

At about 3 p.m. Gjesdal advised that a Level 3 evacuation notice was issued for homes east of Road K N.E. and south of SR 17 as the flames continued to be driven by strong winds.

At one point the fire was burning on both the north and south sides of SR 17, but firefighters quickly contained the flames from moving further northward.

At around 6:30 p.m. Gjesdal advised that “the fire has gone to state mobilization” meaning “assets from around the state can be brought in to fight the fire.”

Resources from Okanogan, Douglas, Chelan and Grant county fire departments, two DNR strike teams and personnel from WSDOT and State Patrol were also involved.

Mansfield mayor, Tom Snell said his town received the Level 1 alert but no evacuations resulted.

“We heard about it as a routine alert but it never got close enough to threaten the town,” Snell said.

By Monday, Aug. 7, firefighters had the blaze contained as crews walked the fire lines but a Level 1 evac alert remained in place.

Shortly after the fire was reported, the Red Cross set up a shelter at Bridgeport High School for evacuees.