Fire crews battle Paradise Fire to safeguard Walla Walla drinking supply
By Dan Thesman on Monday, August 3rd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — Firefighters are taking precautions as they fight the Paradise Fire, a slow-burning wildfire located about 10 miles southeast of Walla Walla that is threatening the municipal watershed that provides drinking water for the city of Walla Walla.
The blaze, burning in steep and roadless terrain, remains a high priority because of its location inside the protected watershed, where public access like hunting and hiking is strictly prohibited to prevent environmental damage.
Crews are using both direct and indirect containment lines to suppress the flames. Higher humidity and elevations exceeding 5,000 feet have helped moderate the fire’s growth, though steep slopes continue to present significant operational challenges.
Public Information Officer Don Ferguson, who is with Incident Management Northwest Team 7, emphasized the delicate balance required to fight a blaze in a sensitive municipal water source.
“It’s quite an interesting challenge to fight fire in a municipal watershed,” Ferguson said. “We have to be so light on the land there. We don’t want to expose any soils to erosion. We can’t use retardant aircraft in there, just water and a light touch. But I think we’re going to get out of there without damaging the watershed.”
Due to strict environmental protections, firefighters must rely primarily on water drops and minimal ground disturbance to contain the flames without contaminating the drinking supply.
“In that watershed, people aren’t even allowed to go in there,” Ferguson added. “You can’t hunt, you can’t hike. They’re very concerned with any damage to the integrity of that watershed. So it’s a special challenge for us to protect that.”
The cause of the Paradise Fire, which at last reported was 1,204 acres, is still under investigation. Although there was a lot of lightning in the area on July 16 when the fire started, the official determination won’t be made until the investigation is completed.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Forest Service will brief the Walla Walla City Council today (Monday) at 4:30 p.m. during a special work session at Walla Walla City Hall.
Photo: Paradise Fire taken July 30, 2026, by Walla Walla City Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain
