150-Acre Blaze in West Yakima, Two Homes Destroyed

An intense firefight happened in west Yakima Monday leading to Level 3 evacuation notices being issued for residents who live in the area of 1150 Hillman Road. West Valley Fire Department officials say the fire was contained at 150 acres but not before destroying two homes and a shop building.

FIREFIGHTERS SAY THEY KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE

Firefighters say numerous power poles and transformers were also burned by the fire. The cause of the fire? Fire officials say it was caused by someone using a tractor mowing grass in the area with a "brush hog." The fire impacted the area from Rocky Top Road to Summitview Road, and from the Summitview Road Extension to Mahre Road, and the area between Rocky Top Road and Mahre Road.

Morgan Collins, Amateur Radio Network

THE EVACUATION LEVEL HAS BEEN LOWERED

Firefighters from West Valley Fire Department, Department of Natural Resources, the Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest Service battled the flames. The fire was reported at about 3:30 pm Monday. The evacuation level has been lowered to Level 1. Crews were on scene overnight to monitor hot spots.

BE CAREFUL MOWING OR DOING ANYTHING THAT COULD SPARK A FIRE

The fire comes at a critical time when firefighters say they expect more fires connected to the 4th of July in Yakima and around the valley. Remember fireworks are banned within the city of Yakima and many unincorporated areas of the county.

Yakima 4th of July Fireworks, Canva

AVOID PROBLEMS AND HAVE FUN IN YAKIMA OR SELAH

The largest will be held at Yakima's State Fair Park billed as a "fabulous family-oriented Fourth of July." Park officials say you are encouraged to bring your own food or purchase food from one of the many vendors that will be at the event. The celebration includes a carnival with fun rides and the 20-minute long fireworks display along with patriotic music starting at 10:00 pm. The gates open at 12:00 pm.
The other big celebration will be held at Selah's Carlon Park with gates opening at 5:00 pm. Food, games, music and other activities are planned. A big fireworks show starts at 10:00 pm.

The Best Reviews From People Who Had The Worst Time Visiting The White House

You think people are impressed visiting the White House? Think again. Visitors who have toured the White House grounds have taken to Yelp to voice their displeasure about everything from the size of the building at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. to Secret Service being rude to them when they got lost.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

LOOK: Stunning, historic hotels from every state and the stories behind them

Stacker curated this list of stunning, historic hotels from every state. To be considered for inclusion, the structure must be more than 50 years old. Many of the selected hotels are listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and several are purported to be haunted.

Gallery Credit: Erin Joslyn

LOOK: Explore the iconic buildings from every state

From colonial homesteads to mansions by the ocean, iconic buildings define every state in the country. Stacker compiled this list of notable examples from historic and government reports and news articles.

Gallery Credit: Aine Givens