FINLEY, Wash.- A wildfire late Friday evening burned down several structures and scorched vegetation in the area of the 2013 PR roadway near Highway 397.
The wind-driven fire destroyed sheds, recreational vehicles, outbuildings, cars, and fences according to Jenna Roberts, Public Information Officer for Benton County Fire District #1, in a Facebook livestream on the district’s page just after 11 p.m.
“Flames are very visible from the highway,” Roberts said. “There have been a few minor explosions as probably gas tanks, propane tanks, are exploding in the fire.”
Roberts said in a phone interview at midnight Saturday that crews got a handle on the fire and it was no longer growing.
Roberts said traffic backups in the area prevented fire crews from arriving to the scene.
Several wildland crews responded to help firefighting efforts. Local residents helped put out spot fires with hoses.
Fireworks could be heard launching nearby for several minutes during the Facebook livestream as flames continued to roar.
Residents are urged to stay away from the area to give crews room to work.
