Rollover accident north of Soap Lake causes brushfire
Richard Byrd | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 4 months AGO
Richard Byrd/Columbia Basin Herald Fire crews work to contain a brush fire north of Soap Lake Wednesday afternoon.
SOAP LAKE — A rollover accident north of Soap Lake sparked a brush fire Wednesday afternoon and caused the closure of state Route 17.
Firefighters with Grant County Fire District No. 7 responded to the scene, about nine miles north of Soap Lake on SR-17, about 1:10 p.m. The unidentified driver of the vehicle was reportedly ejected as it rolled, with sparks igniting brush near the road and wind causing the fire to spread.
LifeFlight was initially placed on standby in case the victim needed to be airlifted to a hospital for treatment, but LifeFlight was canceled as first responders evaluated the victim’s injuries and determined LifeFlight was not needed. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
SR-17 was closed between Soap Lake and Moore Road as crews worked to contain the fire. The highway was opened to one lane with alternating traffic about 2:30 p.m. Grant County Fire District No. 13 and the Coulee City Fire Department provided mutual aid to GCFD No. 7. The fire was determined to be under control just after 3 p.m., with crews remaining at the scene for several more hours mopping up hot spots.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.
Firefighters with Grant County Fire District No. 7 responded to the scene, about nine miles north of Soap Lake on SR-17, about 1:10 p.m. The unidentified driver of the vehicle was reportedly ejected as it rolled, with sparks igniting brush near the road and wind causing the fire to spread.
LifeFlight was initially placed on standby in case the victim needed to be airlifted to a hospital for treatment, but LifeFlight was canceled as first responders evaluated the victim’s injuries and determined LifeFlight was not needed. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
SR-17 was closed between Soap Lake and Moore Road as crews worked to contain the fire. The highway was opened to one lane with alternating traffic about 2:30 p.m. Grant County Fire District No. 13 and the Coulee City Fire Department provided mutual aid to GCFD No. 7. The fire was determined to be under control just after 3 p.m., with crews remaining at the scene for several more hours mopping up hot spots.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.