Tucannon Fire reaches 50 percent containment as crews intentional burn expands acreage

DAYTON, Washington — Firefighters increased containment on the Tucannon Fire to 50 percent today (Thursday) as the blaze grew to 8,061 acres.

According to emergency officials, the acreage increase occurred because the fire consumed fuels along Tucannon Road between mileposts 5 and 7. Crews intentionally brought the fire line to the road to secure that section of the perimeter.

While overnight patrols reported no visible fire, personnel focused efforts on the north side today, securing the edge through mop-up operations and cold trailing.

Cold trailing is a firefighting technique used during mop-up operations where crews inspect and feel a partly dead fire edge with their bare hands to detect hidden heat, ensuring no smoldering debris remains to reignite the fire.

No injuries have been reported, and no primary structures are damaged, though a few outbuildings were lost. A temporary flight restriction remains in effect over the area.

Top photo: Fire crews successfully hold the line at the intersection of Tucannon Road and Emerson Road, looking southbound. (Photo courtesy of Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team)

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