Fires and dust make for a hazy Saturday
By Griffin Beach on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY/ BENTON COUNTY, WA – Hot, dry and windy conditions led to a busy day for area firefighters Saturday.
A fire in the Wallula Gap area on the north slope of the Columbia River, now known as the Les Blair Road Fire, was first reported Saturday. Firefighters could be seen working the blaze from U.S. 730. Benton County Fire District No. 1 said as of Sunday morning the fire was 60 percent contained and had burned at least 500 acres. At least two power poles were damaged, but no outages were reported.
Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 reported a grass fire in the Lilac Lane area east of Hermiston Saturday afternoon. Chief Scott Stanton said although the call came in as a structure fire, it was actually a grass fire but several buildings and vehicles were threatened. It was in the mop-up stage by 6:44 p.m. and approximately 16 to 17 acres were burned. The only structure damage reported was to a house that was east of where the fire began.
Stanton said a fire like that reinforces the need for homeowners to have a good defensible space around their homes.
The National Weather Service says the haze seen in the area was likely caused by dust kicked up due to high winds, but that smoke from the fire may have contributed depending on the location.
MYCB photo of Les Blair Road Fire by Griffin Beach
