Mt. Hebron fire is contained
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Mt. Hebron Fire in Pendleton is contained at 600 acres. Fire Chief Jim Critchley said that the state’s quick response teams that responded to this blaze and the Hat Rock Fire in the Hermiston area took command of the fire at 7 a.m. today (Wednesday).
The fire that burned two outbuildings but damaged no homes started in the canyon behind Lindell’s and below Mt. Hebron. The easiest access to the fire was from Adams Road. Critchley said private entities and individuals helped contain the blaze, including a privately-owned helicopter.
“The winds were so big that I saw the fire travel 200 yards in a little over three seconds,” Critchley said.
Local crews contained the fire Tuesday night and monitored the edges overnight before turning things over to the state fire marshal’s response teams.
Meanwhile, Critchley has put the burn ban in effect in Pendleton a day earlier than anticipated.
“It’s a windy day, so the burn ban is in effect,” he said. “Everything is too dry. Not much scares me, but wind in Pendleton does.”
The chief said the fire started when a spark got away from a beekeeper. That person reported it quickly.
“Please watch for sparks,” he said. “One spark is all it takes.”
Photo by Ryan McLaughlin
