Wildfire near Othello burns 1,000 acres
Adams County Sheriff's Office/courtesy photo - The Saddle Mountain Fire burns southeast of Othello on Thursday.
OTHELLO — A large wildfire that broke out southeast of Othello charred over 1,000 acres, according to information released by the Washington Department of Natural Resources on Friday.
The wildfire started on Saddle Mountain Thursday afternoon and prompted the Adams County Sheriff's Office to send out a Level 2 evacuation notice, meaning people should prepare to leave their homes, for homes in the 2600 to the 2800 block of Kuhn Road.
State Route 24 was closed from Road 24 Southwest in Grant County east to Othello about 6:20 p.m. due to the wildfire and northbound/westbound traffic was diverted to state Route 26. The highway was reopened about 9:30 p.m., according to the Washington Department of Transportation.
The Level 2 evacuation notice was dropped later in the evening as fire crews contained the fire and mopped up hot spots. At least five fire engines and one helicopter were dispatched to help combat the blaze. The Washington Department of Natural Resources estimates the fire charred around 1,000 acres. There was no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
— Staff report