TROY — Firefighters on the Cougar Creek Fire burning just north of the Washington state line are facing a potentially significant change in the weather Wednesday that could make their work even more difficult.

The fire, burning 35 miles southeast of Dayton, Washington and 40 miles southwest of Clarkston, grew to 13,511 acres by Wednesday, July 24, and remains 23% contained. 

The blaze, which was first reported July 15, has prompted evacuation warnings that remain in effect. In Wallowa County, a Level 2 “be ready” evacuation warning is still in place for all of Grouse Flat from Bear Creek Road north to the state and Garfield County lines to the Grande Ronde River. In Washington, areas under evacuation alerts can be viewed on the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. 

Fire officials said they’re worried about what could be a significant change in the weather on Wednesday. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning with strong winds and thunderstorms expected — conditions that could fuel extreme fire behavior.

Forecasters said lightning was possible Wednesday afternoon and lasting into the evening. Localized wind gusts may reach speeds of 40 to 50 mph, forecasters said, to go along with temperatures in the mid-90s and relative humidity in the mid-teens.

Forecasters said a cold front will begin to move in during the next few days, dropping the temperature and increasing humidity levels Thursday.

Jesse Stone, a field operations trainee, said in a briefing posted Wednesday to the Cougar Creek Fire 2024 Facebook page that firefighters planned to focus on the southwest portions of the fire to keep it off private land.

Crews are focusing on the Grouse Flat area and have been adding new bulldozer and hand lines. Stone said firefighters will continue to work on the Wenatchee Creek drainage Wednesday to cut off the blaze there. 

The fire has destroyed one residence and is threatening another 153 residences, fire officials say. Another 409 minor structures are threatened, with three destroyed and five damaged.

A total of 468 firefighters in nine crews are on the fire, as are two helicopters and 38 engines. The incident helibase has been moved from Lewiston, Idaho, to Anatone, Washington, giving more immediate access to the helicopters used to fight the fire.