Small fires didn't turn into bigger ones

Firefighters kept at least two smaller blazes from turning into bigger ones this week as wildland fuels turned tinder dry.

One blaze took off quickly about 11 p.m. July 5, right after a loud bang at the south edge of the town of Coulee Dam, setting the hillside near the Visitor Center ablaze.

Several agencies responded quickly, including the Bureau of Reclamation whose land was burning near the Co...