RITZVILLE, Wash. — WSDOT reopened Eastbound I-90 and State Route 21 in both directions between Interstate 90 and Franz Road, West of Ritzville, after to a brush fire Tuesday.
Washington State fire assistance was approved to help fight the fire, which is being called the Bauer Coulee Fire.
Travis Svilar with the Grant County Fire District 5 confirmed on Wednesday that the fire is estimated to be burning 1600 acres and is not growing.
The state has ordered two strike teams and one bulldozer to help the containment efforts. State crews started helping with containment mop-up and patrol status at 6 a.m. Wednesday, and are expected to work until around 10 p.m.
Most of the ground that was burnt was already-harvested wheat and heavy sage brush, according to Svilar.
No evacuations are in effect at this time. The fire cause is under investigation.
The Adams County Sheriff's Office says the fire is contained and fire crews are watching for flare-ups.
Deputies say two unoccupied buildings were lost. They believe the fire was started by a farmer mowing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) ground.
WSDOT crews initially closed SR-21 between Schrag Road and Franz Road just after noon. Due to safety concerns as the fire continued to spread, just after 1:30 p.m., eastbound I-90 closed to all travelers.
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