MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Wells Road Fire burns more than 1,000 acres in Whitman County; GO NOW evacuations ordered

Aug 9, 2026, 6:50 AM

wells road fire whitman county evacuations...

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

Level 3 GO NOW Evacuations are in place in Whitman County as the Wells Road Fire burns an estimated 1,000 acres as of Saturday evening.

According to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office and the National Interagency Fire Center, evacuation orders were issued for the Town of Malden on Saturday afternoon.

Anyone in areas near the fire should GET OUT NOW.



In a press release on Saturday, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) announced that state fire resources will be mobilized to the area to support local firefighters.

According to the sheriff’s office, Wells Road is one of two large fires burning in the county. In a Facebook post, the office said another fire has started east of Colfax, near Chicken Ranch Road and South Palouse River Road, and is approaching 1,000 acres. Fire crews are working to protect structures and livestock as the fire continues to spread.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

vancouver beauty school 87-year-old crash...

MyNorthwest Staff

87-year-old driver crashes into Vancouver beauty school with 50 students inside

An 87-year-old woman crashed her car into a Vancouver beauty school with roughly 50 students inside over the weekend.

30 minutes ago

Seattle rv parking vote...

Luke Duecy

Seattle RV parking vote raises questions about towing, Homestead Act protections

Seattle City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a package of legislation restricting where people living in recreational vehicles can park overnight.

1 hour ago

pierce county death father...

Regan Gallo-Fenz, MyNorthwest Staff

Pierce County father arrested in connection with son’s fentanyl death nearly 20 months later

Kyler Lawrence is in custody in connection with the fentanyl death of his son. The incident dates back to March 2025 when it happened at the family's home.

2 hours ago

Kitsap County scam...

Julie Berg, KIRO 7

Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office warns of law enforcement impersonation scams

The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office has issued a public warning regarding phone scams involving callers who impersonate law enforcement officers.

3 hours ago

costco tequila lawsuit...

Michael Strite

Seattle judge dismisses Costco tequila lawsuit, citing Mexico’s authority over the spirit

A class action lawsuit over Costco's Kirkland Signature tequila was dismissed by a Seattle federal judge Friday.

3 hours ago

Seattle lease downtown...

Regan Gallo-Fenz, MyNorthwest Staff

For the first time in 5 years Downtown Seattle leases see an uptick

Third-quarter results from CBRE show Downtown Seattle has seen positive leasing activity since 2021. The bottom line? Occupancy finally outpaced vacancy.

4 hours ago

Wells Road Fire burns more than 1,000 acres in Whitman County; GO NOW evacuations ordered