Richland fire that forced evacuations was ‘touch and go.’ Before and after photos

A fire that led to the evacuation of Richland homes Saturday night may have been caused by a car with a mechanical problem, possibly its catalytic converter, said Richland Fire Chief Tom Huntington.

A exact cause is still under investigation but he said there is no indication that a string of wildfires was caused by malicious activity.

But the way fires ignited in spots along almost a mile-long stretch of eastbound Interstate 182 from the Keene Road overpass almost to the Yakima River Delta just below the Tagaris Winery is consistent with a fire caused by a moving vehicle.

An estimated 30 to 40 homes had to be evacuated in the area of Jason Loop, between Interstate 182 and Keene Road.

But everyone was fortunate to come home to find their homes standing. Damage was limited to fences, some lawn furniture and a storage shed that had some propane cylinders that vented, Huntington said.

Calls to emergency dispatchers about the fires started just before 9 p.m. and initial plans were made to dispatch brush and grass fire units.

But the engine crew at the Duportail Street station equipped for structure fires also volunteered to go along and was on scene to immediately protect homes that were at risk, helping to save them.

Huntington described the situation as “touch and go.”

Conditions provided the perfect combination for a wildfire to spread with vegetation that had dried out during the days, an uphill rise that allowed fire to spread more quickly because heat rises and a breeze spreading the fire up the hill, Huntington said.

The green trees and lawns helped provide defense, he said.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Chris Thorson posted photos to Twitter of the fire raging near several homes and then the aftermath, with a blackened slope and burned fences but the homes still standing.

“As we move into 100+ temps. again this week, please remember to keep all lit materials inside your car,” he posted. “Also, if you need to pull over on the shoulder, don’t park on the dry grass.”