CLARKSTON, WA - Asotin County Fire District #1 firefighters battled their first wildland fire of the year this afternoon. Crews were dispatched at about 1:47 p.m. to a fire in the Silcott Hills area about seven miles west of Clarkston.
"When the first command officer arrived it was reported that a large wind-driven fire was moving north and south with two different fire flanks," according to ACFD#1 Chief Noel Hardin.
Fire crews from the City of Clarkston and the City of Asotin assisted ACFD#1 crews in initially attacking the fire.
"A helicopter from Hillcrest Aviation also assisted in the steep terrain fight," Hardin says.
He says it is uncommon to have a wildland fire this early in the year, but conditions were just right for quick-fire growth.
"Dry surface fuels, wind, and low humidity all aided in rapid-fire growth," Hardin says.
The fire started as a property owner in the area was burning weeds out of roadway drainage culverts.
There were no reported injuries and firefighters were on the scene for about three hours.
Asotin County Fire District #1 provides emergency response services to approximately 14,000 people.
"We are the only fire district in the county to guarantee a fire and EMS response 24‐hours a day. Thirty-two volunteer firefighters, 28 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and 35 paramedics are proud to respond to an average of 2,600 calls per year – 90% of which are EMS-related," the agency says on its website.
Asotin County Fire District #1 is a volunteer fire department.
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