20 homes destroyed by huge White Swan fire

WHITE SWAN, Wash. — This small enclave west of Toppenish became a war zone Saturday, shut off from the rest of the Valley as firefighters from across the area battled wind-whipped blazes that Yakama Nation tribal authorities said had consumed 20 homes as of early evening.

With all entrances to White Swan blocked by emergency personnel and electrical power out, the only light was flames from burning structures and a log stack at the Jeld-Wen wood-chipping plant west of the community. That blaze could be seen for miles.

The fires raged as trees and power lines fell in winds that gusted to more than 50 mph, with intermittent rain falling and dust and debris swirling across streets.

"There are a lot of spot fires. We have a hazardous, dangerous situation here," said Harry Smiskin, chairman of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, who was on the scene monitoring the fires.

East Valley Fire Chief George Spencer, tabbed as public information officer for the blaze, said firefighters were attempting to keep the flames from reaching the east side of Curtis Street, which bisects White Swan north to south.

As of 8:30 p.m., Spencer said authorities were optimistic they would be able to hold that line. He said they had begun to gain the upper hand.

"I think we have enough resources to keep up with it," he said from a command post established at the White Swan fire station.

One firefighter was slightly injured when he was struck in an eye by debris.

An initial report to Yakima County Fire District 5 was called in at 1:37 p.m. about a chimney fire at 131 Hitchcock Lane, which is west of White Swan.

Jennifer Weisbacker, of 160 Hitchcock Lane, said in a phone interview that firefighters who "are here are trying their best to keep everything in control but there’s not much they can do because of the wind."  

Weisbacker, 62, said her home did not catch fire because winds blew the flames in the opposite direction.

Embers whipped by high winds moved to the Jeld-Wen log stacks and through dry brush into White Swan, where homes were ignited. Flames took down power poles, and a downed power line lay across West White Swan Road.

Flames quickly consumed homes on Coburn Loop Road as well as houses on First and Second streets.

On Second Street, longtime homeowner Rodney Martin, 45, watched as his home went up in flames.

"I saw the fire across the street. I ran to see it," said Martin, his face streaked with soot. "It came so fast. All the houses on Second Street are gone."

Martin said he tried to wet down the front of his home with a hose, but it was too late.

"It overtook me," said Martin, who is to celebrate his 22nd wedding anniversary in a few days.

He said he could stay with relatives.

Faron Young, manager of the White Swan Trading Post, 160 Birch Ave., said fire officials ordered the business to close about 3 p.m.

"There are lots of little fires out there," he said. "I know the fire department came and shut down the store and told everybody to leave."

Cheryl Hart, 54, never did reach her home. Shopping in Yakima, she said she and her sister saw the smoke from just south of Union Gap.

Hart was stopped fromentering the community and was told her house on Maple Street had been destroyed. She wasn’t sure what happened to her two dogs and a cat.

"This is the first house fire we have ever had. I consider myself lucky," the 54-year-old Hart said in a telephone interview.

She was at Harrah Elementary School, where the American Red Cross had established a shelter for fire victims.

"I feel for the other people because they lost a lot of stuff. I’m worried about my two dogs and my cat. I don’t know what happened to them." Hart said.

Authorities instituted a voluntary evacuation, first establishing the White Swan Longhouse as a shelter. But the site had to be moved when the power went out.

Smiskin said tribal officials were opening the Toppenish Longhouse and the Toppenish Community Center to assist victims of the fire.

With a huge commitment of fire apparatus from throughout the Yakima Valley, Smiskin said he is contacting the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to provide additional fire equipment and personnel.

Stephanie Hakala, a spokeswoman for the Yakima Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, said chapter representatives were preparing to have enough food to feed firefighters and the displaced residents of White Swan, which has a population within and around the unincorporated community of about 3,200.

Spencer said fire crews would remain on the fire lines throughout the night. More crews are being prepared to take over the battle at 7 a.m. He said it wasn’t certain whether help would be sought from outside Yakima County.

Firefighters from stations in Fire District 5, which covers the entire Lower Valley, as well as Yakima, Selah, West Valley, East Valley, and other fire departments were on the scene.

"If people want to do something, they can say a prayer to have the winds die down," Spencer said.

• Reporter Mai Hoang contributed to this story.