Fast Moving Grass Fire Damages Properties

The Yakima Fie Department firefighters say a fast moving grass fire damaged three different properties including a cabinet shop and two out buildings belonging to two different homes Thursday night.

Yakima Fire crews were dispatched around 10:10 p.m. Thursday to the grass fire in the area of N. 6th Ave and River Rd. Windy conditions caused an upgrade to all available city resources when it was reported that a detached garage was involved and the fire was moving rapidly.

Fire crews say they fought the fire aggressively on two fronts and were able to bring the fire under control quickly. The fire stopped advancing within 20 minutes and was controlled within 40 minutes and declared out at 55 minutes after alarm time.

Firefighters say one of the most tense moments was when an oil barrel exploded creating a large fire ball. The closest firefighter was approximately 50 feet away and no one was hurt.

Yakima Fire requested brush engines from neighboring departments to patrol downwind from the main fire because approximately 20 mph winds were blowing a steady stream of embers into a propane bunk plant and a fuel oil plant.

This fire went to a second alarm and Yakima received assistance from Selah, East Valley, Training Center, and West Valley. No one was displaced. The fire caused $75,000 in damages.