Donald W. Meyers – Yakima Herald-Republic, Wash.
Jun. 11—A lawn mower hitting a rock sparked a wildfire that prompted the evacuation of several Terrace Heights homes Tuesday.
East Valley firefighters were called around 3:05 p.m. for a brush fire burning in the area of the 1000 block of Marsh Road. The fire started when a resident in the area said he struck a rock while mowing, causing a spark that started a brush fire, said EVFD interim Chief Ray Lamoureux.
East Valley was assisted by firefighters from Yakima, West Valley, Highland Gleed and Naches, who battled the wind-driven flames.
“The crews did yeoman’s work for East Valley,” Lamoureux said.
At one point, a Level 3 evacuation order — meaning people had to leave immediately — was issued for people living in the area bounded by Rest Haven Road, Marsh Road, the Roza Canal and the Yakima River.
Lamoureux said the winds were fanning the fire, but crews were able to get it under control after 5 p.m., and evacuation orders were modified to Level 2, meaning people needed to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
