By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A team of Lewis and Thurston county firefighters including an engine from Morton and another from Napavine departed early this morning to a rapidly growing wildfire in Eastern Washington that reportedly began yesterday afternoon and was threatening as many as 10 homes by evening.
More than 15 square miles of grass and sagebrush were burning about 25 miles northwest of Walla Walla, according to last night’s report to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. That’s about the same size as the Cowiche Mill Fire outside Yakima in mid-July.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal last night ordered the mobilization of five wildland strike teams to assist Walla Walla Fire District 3, according to a news release early this morning.
Lewis County Fire District 14 Chief Jeff Jaques of Randle said the local team consists of five engines and a water tender. They departed shortly before 5:30 a.m. today, according to Jaques.
Advisory evacuations are in place for residents in the area of the wind-driven fire near the town of Eureka, according to authorities.
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Readers should be able to get the latest by reading the Walla Walla Union Bulletin.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter