CLARKSTON, WA – Firefighters attacked a wildland fire in the Clarkston Heights off of Rivercrest Drive Wednesday afternoon.

Crews from Asotin County Fire District #1, City of Asotin and City of Clarkston all worked together to contain the blaze that started just after 2pm.

According to Asotin County Fire District #1, a breeze was fanning the flames as crews worked in 94 degree temperatures to surround the fire in steep terrain. There were 9 homes directly above where the fire was burning in a gully next to a horse pasture.

A resident burning yard waste was the cause of the fire. As he was burning a wind came up and he lost control. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to contain the fire and they remained on scene looking for hot spots for about 2 hours.

Asotin County Fire Chief Noel Hardin stated, with the warmer temperatures, the low flashy fuels are drying rapidly and warns people need to use extreme caution when working or recreating near dry grass. Hardin said this is the first significant grass fire in the area and it is relatively early in the season.
The fire burned approximately 2-acres and there were no reported injuries or damage to any homes.