Cowiche fire 15 percent contained; size downgraded to 6,200 acres

YAKIMA, Wash. — Fire officials are downgrading the size of a huge brush fire west of Yakima to 6,200 acres but still plan to deploy 250 to 300 fire fighters to monitor smoldering tonight  through Tuesday morning.

The fire destroyed or heavily damaged two homes and several outbuildings. On Sunday night, fire officials estimated the blaze had hit spots across 8,500 acres and this morning said it was 10,000 acres. That number was rolled back to 6,200 this afternoon, after fire fighters got a closer look.

Fire crews from around the region spent the night protecting structures and trying to cut lines around the blaze, which started Sunday afternoon near Cowiche Mill Road.

An evacuation of homeowners in the path of the blaze was canceled this morning and residents were allowed to return to their homes.

West Valley Fire Chief Dave Leitch said relief crews numbering more than 100 personnel will be out today to solidify more than 15 miles of perimeter and deal with hot spots.

The blaze is estimated to be about 15 percent contained.

"The fire is not aggressively burning. We are trying to support our control lines, refortify and start mopup around structures," Leitch said. "We don’t want visible smoke within 200 feet of any building."

No one was injured, but three West Valley firefighters were treated and released from a local hospital for smoke inhalation when flames rolled over a fire truck.

The truck was destroyed.

Reports Sunday night said three homes were destroyed. But a further evaluation of damage, Leitch said, concluded that only one home was destroyed and one heavily damaged. Some barns were also damaged or destroyed.

Authorities have cordoned off an area near 2401 Cowiche Mill Road, near Cowiche Creek Nursery, where the fire is believed to have started.

Investigators from the Yakima County Fire Marshal’s Office and Union Gap Fire Department will be looking for clues today.

State assistance has been requested. Fire crews from as far away as Spokane County will relieve exhausted local firefighters today.

Four bulldozers joined the fire fight about 2 a.m. today, supporting local fire trucks and aircraft that dropped several loads of fire retardant on the blaze Sunday.

Two helicopters will be available today if needed to drop water on the fire, Leitch said.

An estimated 200 firefighters were working on the fire Sunday night. About 100 of those — volunteer firefighters from local fire departments and fire districts — were released early this morning.

— Ross Courtney and David Lester