Refuge Fires Under Control

Firefighters Tuesday night had nearly contained a 5,000-acre fire that burned part of an Eastern Washington wildlife refuge, and mop-up was under way at another wildfire outside the Tri-Cities.

Crews had encircled about 75 percent of the first blaze and hoped to have it fully contained by today, said Eric Hagen, a fire management officer for the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.

The fire was sparked by lightning Monday at the refuge outside Othello, Hagen said. Winds pushed the flames eastward, and most of the burned acreage was private property to the east of the refuge, he said.

About 50 miles to the south, mop-up began on a fire that burned about 2,500 acres west of Benton City. The blaze destroyed one home and several outbuildings Monday.

Benton County Emergency Management spokeswoman Judy Hebert said Tuesday the fire was not started by lightning. The cause was under investigation, Hebert said.