Brush Fire Forces Evacuation Of Homes Near West Richland

Shifting winds fanned a brush fire Tuesday to more than 2,000 acres near West Richland, Wash., forcing the evacuation of more than 30 homes and blowing smoke 150 miles to Spokane.

About 200 firefighters from nine counties - including Spokane, Pend Oreille and Okanogan - were battling the blaze.

Bob Anderson, chief of Fire District 9 in north Spokane, was dispatched to the fire scene to serve as co-commander.

Firefighters first responded at 1:30 p.m. to a small fire on the prairie southeast of West Richland.

Winds gusting up to 20 mph quickly pushed the fire to the city limits, prompting authorities at 5 p.m. to issue a statewide plea for help.

Smoke and flames shooting 13 feet high forced the closure of a five-mile stretch of state Highway 224 between West Richland and Benton City.

The fire continued northwest toward the city, prompting evacuations of homes in the rural Red Mountain area.

Authorities also asked residents of two residential blocks on the outskirts of Benton City to evacuate.

“With the wind shifting the way it is, we have a tremendous amount of potential for the fire to grow,” said Judy Hebert of the Benton County emergency management office.

No injuries were reported and no structures had been damaged, she said.

By early evening, firefighters had the south and east flanks of the blaze under control, according to Hebert.

The fire was ignited accidentally, she said.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Jonathan Martin Staff writer The Associated Press contributed to this report.