Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeSunday, Jul. 05, 2009
Pasco fire crews tackle grass fire near Road 36
By the Herald staff
Triple-digit temperatures forced Pasco fire officials to quickly call for backup while battling a 10-acre grass fire on a hillside near Road 36.
The fire was reported at 4:15 p.m. Saturday near the north end of Road 36 at the end of Santa Fe Road, said Pasco fire Capt. Patrick Henrickson.
The soft sandy soil on the hill made it difficult to get to the fire, Henrickson said. They called for help from Franklin Fire District 3 and Walla Walla Fire District 5 to bring in extra off-road fire rigs.
Firefighters also get worn out fast in the high heat, so extra crews were needed, he said.
It took about 90 minutes for crews to contain the fire. Pasco fire crews cleared the scene just after 6 p.m.
There were homes at the top of the hill that could have been threatened by the flames, but firefighters were able to contain it before it got close enough to cause concern, Henrickson said.
Officials still are working to determine what sparked the fire. Witnesses reported someone was riding a motorcycle in the area just before the fire started, but it's not yet clear if that is connected.
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