30 Acre Brush Fire West of Yakima Keeps Firefighters Busy

A West Valley brush fire that started Thursday afternoon on Cottonwood Canyon Road was doused by firefighters, but the 30 to 40 acre fire spread quickly up the hillside anyway due to the dry sage fuel and wind conditions.

"This is a dangerous fire;  this sage on this hill is old growth. That means it's never been burned, to my knowledge - probably in 50 to 60 years anyway," says homeowner Rich Blair. "I was watching the flames hit it; it shoots up a flame 30 to 40 feet in the air and it moves fast."

Fortunately for Blair, the winds changed before the fire reached his home. The fire threatened at least seven home in the area, but firefighters fought off the flame before it reached any residences.