Final Update – June 17, 2023, Saturday, 2300 PDT

A wildfire named the Rock Ford Fire AKA the Drumheller Fire broke out the afternoon of Wednesday, June 14, 2023, on Hwy 17 at Rock Ford in Grant County, Washington.

(below) Photo Credit: GCFD13

Resources were dispatched from Ephrata Fire, Grant County Fire Districts 3, 5, 13, Grant County Emergency Management, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and others who supported the men and women first responders.

Level 1 evacuation notices were issued for the area west of Rocky Ford Creek around 1430 hours this afternoon, though the PIO said there were no threats to nearby homes. This was to just make sure residents were aware a fire is in the area and to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice if necessary.

However, the wind began picking up the fire and spreading flames, causing it to spread quickly due to winds and heavy fire load of grass and sage. The fire would grow to 400 acres only fifteen minutes after homes were notified of the fire in the area. (6/14/2023 1445)

(L) GCFD13

Less than one hour later, the fire was said to be pushing up against the highway, forcing the Sheriff’s Office to close SR 17 at SR 282 and Neppel Road.

The fire was reported at 1840 hours with SR 17 reopened and the fire under control with the aid of aircraft and ground resources successfully containing the fire. Due to the large fire, resources will remain overnight as they have mop-up operations to address any flare-ups (spot fires).

(R) Photo Credit: GCFD13

According to WA DNR’s Wildcad.net call, the total fire size was reportedly burning 929 acres of land.

KUDOS to the GCFD13 Fire Photographer (we would love to give you full Photo credit) who took some amazing shots of the fire operations from the air to the ground. Very impressive work.

The Incident # was WASPD-237.

The cause of the fire was because of a tractor fire that spread into the heavy fire fuel load and quickly caused an exploding wildfire.

It is unknown if the tractor’s operator was injured or how soon they discovered the fire.

From the Eyes of Social Media

Many residents who live in the area, as well as media outlets reported on Social Media.

Here are their accounts:

“I watched this fire from my house on the Rock Ford, just north of Hwy 17. It raced across the top from Drumheller Road and down the ridge to Rocky Ford.”

“Fire crews should have carried a shovel with them.”

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog