Very dry and critical fire conditions over Eastern Washington during July and August produced dry fuels across the region. These fuels, with an incoming cold front's strong winds, created an outbreak of wildfires, blowing smoke, and dust late September 6th - 7th. These conditions ignited over 20 wildfires which destroyed hundreds of thousand acres of land, crops, and homes. 80 percent of the small town of Malden, and nearby Pine City, burned during a fast moving wildfire. There were over 500 miles of Interstate 90, state highways, and roads closed due to fires, low visibility from smoke and dust, and blocked from downed trees. One fatality and two severe injuries occurred when trying to escape one of the wildfires.

Wildfire in OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 15:00:00 to 16-SEP-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The Customs Road Wildfire, 1 mile west of Curlew, was started by human causes on September 7th. There were 11 structures lost. The wildfire grew to 2,208 acres, driven by wind and topography, before largely contained by mid-September. The cost of fighting the fire was calculated at 850,000 dollars.

Dust Storm in UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 16:45:00 to 07-SEP-20 18:30:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Washington Department of Transportation reported State Route 26 closed for 21 miles from US 395 to Washtucna due to poor visibility from blowing dust.

Dust Storm in WASHINGTON PALOUSE, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 16:45:00 to 07-SEP-20 19:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Washington Department of Transportation reported State Route 23 closed between St. John and Sprague due to blowing dust and wildfire smoke.

Wildfire in OKANOGAN VALLEY, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 00:00:00 to 24-SEP-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 11.00M
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The Cold Springs Wildfire, 3 miles south of Omak, was ignited due to unknow causes late September 6th. It was fueled by a high wind event and grew rapidly. The wildfire became known as the Pearl Hill Wildfire when it crossed the Columbia River. Two adults were severely injured and one infant passed away. After numerous road closures and a total 55 structures lost, the total acres damaged grew to 413,653 with 8.4 million dollars cost fighting the fire. The wildfires were fully contained by mid-September.

Wildfire in OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 12:00:00 to 27-SEP-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 1.90M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The Inchelium Complex Wildfires, 1 mile north of Inchelium, was ignited by human causes on September 7th. The Inchelium Complex was comprised by three fires on the Colville Indian Reservation: Inchelium Highway, Fry, and Kewa Field. The wildfires grew to 19,399 acres of timber and brush. They were driven largely by strong winds and dry conditions before contained by the end of September. The cost of fighting the fires was calculated at 8.1 million dollars.

Wildfire in SPOKANE AREA, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 09:40:00 to 28-SEP-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 160.00K
Crop damage: 6.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The Whitney Wildfire, 6 miles northwest of Davenport, was ignited by a downed powerline on September 7th. Fueled by dry conditions and strong wind gusts, the extreme fire behavior and rapid growth lead to a total 127,430 acres, which included buildings, livestock, and grass lost. The cost of fighting the fire was calculated at 2.5 million dollars and contained by mid-September.

Wildfire in WASHINGTON PALOUSE, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 09:45:00 to 14-SEP-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 850.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The Manning Road Wildfire, 13 miles northwest of Colfax, was ignited by unknown sources on September 7th. It was fueled by a high wind event and dry conditions. A total five structures were lost and acres damaged rose to 2,885 before containment a week later. The cost of fighting the fire was calculated at 250,000 dollars.

Wildfire in WASHINGTON PALOUSE, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 11:05:00 to 14-SEP-20 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Malden Wildfire was ignited by a tree on a powerline and fueled by high winds and dry conditions on September 7th. Eighty percent of the small community of Malden, and nearby town of Pine City, were destroyed by the fire. This included 121 homes, eight businesses, 94 other buildings, and more than 15,000 acres. The cost of fighting the fire was calculated at 800,000 dollars and fully contained by September 14th.

Dust Storm in UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 10:20:00 to 07-SEP-20 10:30:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter in Ritzville, Washington reported visibility less than a quarter mile due to blowing dust.

Dust Storm in UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 11:30:00 to 07-SEP-20 18:30:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Department of Highways reported US Highway 395 from Interstate 90 to State Route 26 was closed due to poor visibility and collisions due to dust.

Dust Storm in UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 13:00:00 to 07-SEP-20 18:30:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Washington Department of Transportation reported Interstate 90 closed from Ritzville to the Grant-Adams County line due to low visibility from dust and smoke. The blowing dust caused several collisions with one involving 9 vehicles.

Dust Storm in UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 14:00:00 to 07-SEP-20 18:45:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Washington Department of Transportation reported State Route 261 closed between Washtucna and Interstate 90 at Ritzville due to poor visibility from dust.

Dust Storm in UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 20:30:00 to 08-SEP-20 07:10:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Washington Department of Transportation reported State Route 21 closed due to poor visibility from dust and wildfire smoke.

Strong Wind in MOSES LAKE AREA, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 11:05:00 to 07-SEP-20 11:10:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 28.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported a tree snapped at the base by strong winds. No damage was reported.

Strong Wind in SPOKANE AREA, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 12:30:00 to 07-SEP-20 12:35:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 37.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The local broadcast media reported a tree fell and damaged an apartment building in Spokane Valley due to strong winds.

Strong Wind in SPOKANE AREA, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 12:00:00 to 07-SEP-20 12:05:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 37.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The local broadcast media reported that a large tree down damaged numerous cars in Spokane due to strong winds.

Strong Wind in SPOKANE AREA, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 12:00:00 to 07-SEP-20 15:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 37.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

The local utility company reported 39,900 customers in Spokane County without power as a result of strong winds bringing down power lines.

Strong Wind in NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 07-SEP-20 11:00:00 to 07-SEP-20 11:30:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A member of the public posted photos on social media of numerous boats untied from docks and docks ripped from foundations at Loon Lake due to strong winds. There were downed trees and fences blown over surrounding the lake.