Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
WALL OF FLAMES. Firefighters encountered intense heat and fast moving fire during a stubble field and wheat fire on Monday, Aug. 22. The fire was located on Neergard Road just off of Paha-Packard Road. Ritzville Fire Department emptied its station, sending all of its equipment to battle the blaze. The volunteer crews were joined by Lincoln County firefighters from Odessa and several water tankers from neighboring farms. In this photo a Lincoln County crew heads directly toward towering flames in an effort to halt the fire’s progress as it moved northeast toward Paha-Packard Road.
Ritzville’s fire station was emptied Monday when crews took all of the fire district’s equipment out of the barn to battle a wheat and stubblefield fire.
Crews were dispatched to the fire about 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The fire was burning in a field along the north edge of Neergard Road, just west of Paha-Packard Road.
Adams County Fire Protection District No. 1 Chief Scott Kembel said the fire charred 40 acres of standing wheat and 90 acres of stubble.
With dry conditions and a steady breeze, Kembel quickly called for mutal aid from Lincoln County. Crews out of Odessa responded to the fire. Several neighboring farms also helped by bringing water tankers to keep the brush trucks supplied with water.
“We sure appreciate all the help from everybody,” Kembel said.
The fire, he said, may have been started by a truck in a field. Dick Kagele’s crew was in the process of harvesting.
No injuries were reported during the fire. Odessa crews were released from the scene about 7 p.m. Ritzville crews continued to mop up the fire until about 8 p.m.
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