Tuesday, Jul. 07, 2009

Trees, equipment burn in Finley orchard fire

Ingrid Stegemoeller, Herald staff writer

A Finley orchard lost a forklift, 400 empty apple bins, 150 young apple trees and other equipment in a fire that started about 12:30 a.m. Monday, officials said.

The cause of the fire at Goose Ranch off Finley Road is under investigation, though it's likely either fireworks or lightning sparked the blaze, said Jack Coats, assistant fire chief for Benton Fire District 1, which responded to the call.

"We did have fireworks in the area but we also had lightning," he said, adding that he would check with the weather service as the investigation continues.

Six engines responded to the call, according to the fire district.

Goose Ranch, owned by Yakima-based Washington Fruit & Produce, has about 150 acres of apples and cherries, said orchard manager Greg Leach.

Cherry harvest was finished and there should be enough time before apple harvest to replace the damaged equipment, Leach said.

"I'll have another forklift by then," he said, and will have replaced the burned fraction of the 3,500 bins total he'll need for harvest.

A neighbor alerted Leach to the fire and he and his son stayed on watch all night after fire crews left about 3 a.m.

Leach said he thought the damage will be covered by insurance.