West Plains wildfire now 90% contained

Crews gained further control Saturday of the Bartholomew fire that burned structures and forced evacuations Thursday on the West Plains.

Located about half a mile east of Medical Lake along State Highway 902, the blaze was almost completely contained by the time a Red Flag fire warning was issued at 2 p.m. Saturday, according to a Northeast Interagency Incident Management news release.

The fire is now at 90% containment, with lines surrounding the entire fire, the release said.

The fire has burned about 200 acres, including 50 on Fairchild Air Force Base. Fire crews made “excellent progress” mopping up the fire on Friday.

The crews dampened 200 feet around all structures and 75 or more feet around the perimeter of the fire, the release said.

The evacuation level for houses on Bartholomew and Welcome roads north of State Highway 902 have been reduced to a Level 1.

That level indicates residents should be aware danger exists in the area, but they do not need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.