Resources establish lines around Lambdin Fire in Walla Walla County
By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA COUNTY — The wind-driven Lambdin Fire, which started Monday morning, has consumed 12,776 acres across Walla Walla County with 25 percent containment, as of 11:29 p.m. Tuesday night.
Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team Public Information Officer Ben Shearer notes that prior to the Tuesday night update, there was a lot of confusion surrounding an earlier 13,000-acre figure that had been tossed around. He explains that was a rough estimate from air attack, as ground crews hadn’t completed actively marking the perimeter to provide a more accurate figure. Now that the data has been processed, the latest number regarding the estimated size is, as stated above, 12,776 acres.
The fire is burning in steep terrain between Touchet and Wallula, impacting major power lines. Resources, including 20 engines, have successfully established lines around a gas pipeline and electric substation, preventing losses to primary residential structures. However, the blaze has consumed roughly 1,000 acres of the Wallula Unit at the McNary National Wildlife Refuge. The public must strictly avoid this area for safety.
Evacuations & Shelters
Shearer confirmed all evacuation levels remain in place. Two Red Cross shelters are open at Touchet High School, 90 Champion Street, and Prescott City Hall, 202 West First Street.
Level 3 (Go Now):
Pierce’s Green Valley RV Park and Cameo Heights
Ash Hollow Road west/north to Dodd Road
North Johnson Road to Touchet North to Dodd Road.
Level 2 (Be Set)
Two miles east of Touchet North to Highway 124.
Road Status & Closures
U.S. Highway 12 is fully open in both directions, though drivers should exercise extreme caution as emergency personnel and utility crews are working near the roadway.
Walla Walla County Public Works reports the following roads are still closed:
Nine Mile Road – Hwy 12 to Dodd/Johnson Intersection
Byrnes Road – Byerley to HWY 12
Ash Hollow – Cummins to Johnson
Touchet North Road – Hwy 12 to Hwy 124
Dodd Road – Concrete section to Britten
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect; drones are strictly prohibited. Warm, dry, and windy conditions are expected to persist through the July 4 holiday.
Photo courtesy Luke Roser/USFWS
