Crews nearing full containment of wildfire that threatened Wanapum Village

YAKIMA – Wildfire crews over the weekend neared full containment of a blaze that blackened 24,640 acres in the Army’s Yakima Training Center and threatened a tribal village of some 250 residents.

Crews had the fire 90 percent contained Sunday and expected full containment that afternoon, according to a news release from firefighters. Further fire updates were not immediately available Sunday evening.

Crews made significant progress overnight Saturday, mopping up 100-foot perimeter fire lines on the northern, western and southern portions of the blaze, the release said.

Crews began scaling back Saturday night, after the fire was more than 50 percent contained.

Crews spent Sunday mopping up remaining hot spots in the vicinity of Wanapum Village near the Wanapum Dam on the Columbia River, where about 250 residents were evacuated on Thursday but allowed to return a day later.

The cause of the fire that started Wednesday night is under investigation.