GRAND COULEE, Wash - The Bureau of Reclamation has closed Banks Lake Park while Bureau of Land Management firefighters use the location as a staging area as they work to suppress a fire consuming nearly 300 acres. Banks Lake Park is located above North Dam near State Highway 155. BLM officials reported today that the fire is about 50 percent contained in the Barker Canyon area and that there is no threat to structures. The fire was first reported on July 10 around 11 am and is expected to be fully contained by Friday.

Reclamation is presently assisting in the effort by ferrying firefighters and equipment across Banks Lake to the impact area and coordinating with local officials in notifying the public.

The North Dam Park recreation area, located directly below North Dam, is open to the public as well as a pedestrian roadway across the top of the dam.

BLM and Reclamation officials urge people to avoid Banks Lake Park and comply with emergency and law enforcement authorities