DESERT AIRE - Mattawa and Hanford firefighters put out blazes on Sunday evening, July 12, that at one time threatened the new Wanapum Heritage Center at Priest Rapids Dam along Highway 243.

There were two fires. One got to the new water tower across Orchard Road from the center and burned all around. The second was slow-moving on the center side of Orchard Road. It was halted short of the center, but it came within 75 yards.

According to Grant County Fire District No. 8 Captain Travis Zimmerman, the fire alarm came in at about 5:15 P.M.

"Upon arrival, we found two separate fires burning along the west side of SR 243 and Orchard Road. We had 1 structure being threatened by a slow-moving fire measuring about 100x100 feet," Zimmerman said.

"The other fire was an intense fast moving fire along Highway 243, under the power lines, with heavy smoke blowing across Highway 243."

The Mattawa Police Department and the Washington State Patrol had to shut down Highway 243 for the protection of firefighters and motorists for about one hour.

Three mutual aid brush engines were requested from the Hanford Fire Department. GCFD 8 provided three. There were 15 firefighters on the scene and one command car.

Both fires were under control in about two hours. About 50,000 gallons of water were used, and so were about 20 gallons of fire retardant foam.

No buildings were burned, and there were no injured firefighters. Firefighters remained on site for up to six hours to make certain all hot spots were extinguished.