Grass fire shuts down I-84

MISSION – (From the Confederated Umatilla Journal on Instagram) The Umatilla Tribal Fire Department battled and contained a grass fire on Tuesday, Aug. 27 along South Market Road south of the Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

UTFD Chief James Hall said that at approximately 4:20 p.m. the UTFD received a call of a fast-moving grass fire that was ignited by a baler on the west side of South Market Road that jumped the road and moved east. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, wind speeds were between 15 to 25 miles per hour with gusts up to 40 mph.

Crews from the UTFD and Bureau of Indian Affairs initiated attack on the fire, Hall said, as mutual aid was requested and received from multiple surrounding agencies and a task force was assembled to coordinate.

Firefighters evacuated people from approximately five residences before eventually allowing them to return home after the fire was contained around 7:45 p.m.

Hall said three people were treated for smoke inhalation but didn’t require transport to a medical facility for further treatment beyond what emergency medical workers provided.

Contributed photo from Camille McNair

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Elkhorn Media Group

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