Yakima Firefighters Busy Dousing Flames This Week

Two fires kept Yakima Fire Department Firefighters busy Wednesday night and Thursday morning. No injuries were reported but fire officials say all total the fires caused upwards of $200,000 in damage. A press release from the Yakima Fire Department says firefighters were called to a home fire in the 500 block of 32nd Avenue at about 5:00 pm Wednesday. Arriving crews found smoke coming from the eaves on multiple sides of the home where an air fryer apparently malfunctioned. They say so much smoke filled the interior that there was zero visibility. Two people in the home were able to escape with injuries. The American Red Cross is now helping since the home was so badly damaged. Damage is estimated at $125,000.

The second fire burned a detached garage

Firefighters were called to the second fire at 4:00 am Thursday in the 1200 block of Roosevelt Avenue where they found a detached garage on fire. They say fire engulfed the garage until it collapsed. The fire caught a nearby tree on fire as well. Damage is estimated at $75,000. No injuries were reported. The cause remains under investigation.

Firefighters warn that fireworks are banned in the city of Yakima

Firefighters aren't saying if they've had any recent fireworks related fires but they remind everyone that all fireworks are banned in the city of Yakima and in the unincorporated areas of the county. “We encourage community members to celebrate safely this July 4th, and that includes not discharging fireworks in the City,” said Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham. “Each year there are a number of fires that result from the use of fireworks.”
Even though fireworks are banned in the city firefighters say they responded to 27 fires during the July 4th holiday weekend last year. Most were grass fires caused by fireworks.