2 | Published Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 1800 hours PT

A wildfire named the WAWAWAI FIRE is burning into Day 3 and is located about 15 miles southwest of Pullman (Whitman County), Washington.

The fire was reported on Monday, July 24, 2023, just after 2100 hours PT.

(L) Photo Credit: Bainbridge Island FD

It was last listed at 526 acres of destroyed grass and brush with a 0% containment status.

The cause has been determined due to lightning which spark some land on private property.

Fire behavior has been observed as active with running, creeping, and smoldering.

Level 1 (BE READY) Evacuations for Wawawai Road from the Snake River to Wawawai-Pullman Road are still in effect. Infrastructure, such as 911 radio towers, range, and croplands are under threat.

There are approximately 170 total personnel along with four crews, 17 engines, three dozers, and one copter, under the leadership of an IMT, Type 3 (NE WA IMT).

Incident Command Post (ICP) is located at Lincoln Middle School.

Some of the resources assigned to this wildfire are the South Puget Sound Strike Team:

  • Bainbridge Island Fire (Brush Truck 21)
  • North Kitsap Fire & Rescue (Brush Truck 85)
  • South Kitsap Fire & Rescue (Brush Truck 8)
  • Whitman County Fire District 14 (initial first due)
  • Whitman County Fire District 12 (initial first due)
  • Whitman County Fire District 13 (Mutual aid)

Additional Incident Cooperators:

  • The City of Pullman (messaging to its residents)
  • American Red Cross

It has already reached a cost-to-date for fire suppression and containment efforts expenses of $100,000.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog