Tucannon Fire Threatens Homes, Last Resort

DAYTON – A 2,700 acre wildfire continued to burn this week in the Tucannon River valley about 20 miles east of here. The Tucannon Fire came close to several structures along the Tucannon Road Saturday night, including those at the KOA Last Resort RV Park. However, as of Tuesday, no homes or other structures had been lost.

According to Information Officer Jeff Sevigney of the Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team, the fire was called in about 9:30 a.m. Saturday. It apparently started on the slope below the top of the Hartsock Grade above the Tucannon River. About 40 structures were initially threatened.

"Local resources did a great job of protecting homes in the area," Sevigney said.

Personnel from Columbia County Fire District 3 and Garfield County Fire District 1 initially responded to the fire Saturday, as did a First Response Team from the Department of Natural Resources.

Winds whipped up the fast-moving fire on Saturday afternoon and it grew to over 2,000 acres. After light rain and reduced wind on Sunday, the fire's growth slowed considerably.

As of Tuesday, the fire remained at about 2,700 acres and was not growing. Sevigney reported that it was about 30% contained.

A Level 3 evacuation order was issued on Saturday for residents within a two-mile radius around the fire. By Monday, evacuation orders in Columbia County had been reduced to Level 1.

According to Sevigney, there are numerous road closures in the area of the fire. Aircraft have been assisting crews since Saturday.

At press time, the cause of the fire was still under investigation.