Crews Respond to Two Blazes in Asotin County on Monday

CLARKSTON, WA – Firefighters in Asotin County had their hands full Monday, responding to two separate wildland fires just hours apart, both threatening homes and property.

The first fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. along Snake River Road, approximately three miles from Asotin. Crews from Asotin County Fire District #1 and the City of Asotin Fire Department arrived to find flames advancing around a home near a steep, dry hillside. Firefighters acted quickly and managed to contain the blaze before it damaged the residence.

According to officials, the homeowner had been attempting to burn tall, dry grass as a fire prevention measure when the fire got out of control.

Later in the day, at about 5:30 p.m., fire crews were dispatched to a second blaze in the 1300 block of Highland Avenue in Clarkston. This fire was burning in a dry lot behind a home, close to a nearby church, several vehicles, RVs, and a pile of tires.

Firefighters from Asotin County Fire District #1 and the City of Clarkston responded rapidly and contained the fire within minutes. No structures were damaged.

The Highland Avenue fire was caused by a downed power line.

“With the hot and dry conditions, the whole Valley is in an extreme fire danger situation,” said Asotin County Fire District #1 Chief Noel Hardin.

No injuries were reported in either incident.