Fire in Washington state burns home, endangers other houses and covers city in smoke

Washington state fire burns home, endangers others

YAKIMA, Wash. — A wildfire in central Washington covered the nearby city of Yakima in smoke, destroyed at least one home and several outbuildings and threatened more homes Sunday evening, authorities said.

The fire started Sunday afternoon about 10 miles west of the city’s downtown and had grown to 8,500 acres by 9:30 p.m., fire officials said.

Heavy winds were blowing the blaze across a sagebrush-covered ridge toward an area of about 100 homes, and firefighters were going door to door evacuating residents. Flames burning up a hillside could be seen from some parts of Yakima, an agriculture hub of 71,000 in a region known for its tree fruit, wine grapes and hops.

More than 150 firefighters were battling the wildfire and at least another 100 were en route to the area, said Richard Andring of the state’s Department of Natural Resources.

Three firefighters were taken to a local hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation. One of the firefighters also twisted an ankle, authorities said.