A fast-moving wildfire in Grant and Douglas counties has rattled communities and displaced campers in one of Eastern Washington's most popular recreational areas. The Garred Road Fire, burning approximately four miles west of Coulee City, has grown to 3,369 acres and remains only 27% contained as of the morning of June 25, 2026.

Rapid Spread From Highway 2 to Sun Lakes

The fire ignited on Monday, June 22, from a human cause north of Highway 2 near Coulee City. Despite a heavy aerial response, high winds pushed the fire south across both Highway 2 and Highway 17, driving it into the Dry Falls and Sun Lakes area — one of the region's most visited state parks and campgrounds.

As the fire advanced toward the park, Level 3 (Immediate Evacuation) orders were issued for the Sun Lake Campground, forcing campers and vacationers to quickly gather belongings and flee. According to the Wenatchee World, a Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter was deployed to support suppression efforts as the fire bore down on the recreational area.

Evacuations Stepped Down, Park Reopened

As crews worked through the night to establish containment lines, conditions improved enough to reduce the Level 3 evacuation order to a Level 1 (Be Ready) advisory, and Sun Lakes State Park has since reopened. However, fire managers caution that conditions remain dynamic, and the public should stay alert for any changes to evacuation status.

Southeast Washington IMT3 assumed command of the fire at 6:00 a.m. on June 23. Incident Commander Leonard Johnson, with IC trainee Brad Fredrickson, is directing 192 personnel working to secure and mop up the existing perimeter while engaging in direct line construction.

Fuels and Fire Behavior

The fire is burning in tall grass reaching 2.5 feet in height and brush up to 2 feet tall — fuel conditions that support rapid rate of spread under hot, dry, and windy weather. The estimated containment date is June 28, 2026, though afternoon gusty winds from the southwest at 9–13 mph with gusts up to 20 mph remain a concern for potential spotting and spread.

  • 12–24 hours: Potential for moderate spread due to gusty afternoon winds
  • 48 hours: Minimal growth expected
  • 72+ hours: Containment anticipated

State Fire Mobilization Authorized

State Fire Mobilization was authorized for the Garred Road Fire, reflecting the significant threat the blaze posed to structures and critical recreational infrastructure. State mobilization allows additional resources — including engines, crews, and water tenders from local fire departments — to be deployed under a unified command framework when local resources are insufficient.

What Affected Communities Should Know

While Sun Lakes State Park is open, visitors and nearby residents should remain prepared to act quickly if conditions change:

  • Register for Grant County emergency alerts at ReadyGrant.com
  • Keep important documents, medications, and supplies accessible for rapid evacuation if needed
  • Avoid the fire area and do not attempt to use drones — unauthorized drones in fire areas ground all aerial operations immediately
  • Check InciWeb and local news for the latest updates before visiting Sun Lakes

For fire information, contact Southeast Washington IMT3 through InciWeb at inciweb.wildfire.gov.