Wildfires Reach Tucannon River Valley

DAYTON - Several homeowners were evacuated from the Tucannon River valley Thursday as dozens of firefighters from three counties battled wildfires that spread across thousands of acres northeast of Dayton.

A fire that started off Patit Road Tuesday and was thought to be under control flared up again Thursday afternoon and grew rapidly with winds of up to 35 miles per hour fanning the flames through wheat land stubble, grass, brush and trees in gullies and canyons.

The fire dropped down into the Tucannon River valley between Hartsock and Marengo roads where firefighting crews from Columbia, Walla Walla and Garfield counties were deployed to protect several homes.

Columbia Count Sheriff Walt Hessler said homeowners in the valley were either evacuated or told to be ready to leave. By late evening, the flames were advancing in many directions and smoke choked the valley, nearly blocking the setting sun.

Fields were ablaze among the many wind turbines that populate the ridges north of Patit Road, though none of them seemed damaged or even affected by the fires.

Authorities, which included the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service and county fire districts, closed a section of the Tucannon Road for fear of rock falls off the scorched cliffs above the valley.