July 21, 2019
Washington

Witnesses say broken wind turbine caused several hundred acre fire

By Megan Magensky | KIMA | Sunday, July 21st 2019 | kimatv.com

KLICKITAT COUNTY, Wash. – The Juniper Fire is now 40 percent contained, according to a press release. The fire is mostly burning in the Pine Creek Drainage area south of Bickleton, WA.

As of Sunday evening, the fire has burned 242 acres.

39 structures are threatened by the fire but no structures have burned. The Pine Creek Drainage area is under a level three evacuation.

Crews fighting the fire are up against 28 mph wind gusts and low humidity.

201 total people are working the fire. Resources will continue to arrive overnight, according to a press release.

Officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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Fire crews are fighting a blaze in Klickitat County near Bickleton.

The Juniper Fire started Saturday around 2:00 p.m. At last estimate the fire burned 350 acres of grass, sagebrush and timber. The fire threatened homes, crops and infrastructure. Level three evacuations have been in place Saturday.

Officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation but witness say the fire started by a broken wind turbine.

Washington State fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan sent state fire assistance to support local fire fighters around 9:15 p.m. Saturday night at the request of Fire Chief John Jensen, Klickitat County Fire District #2.

Ben Sheerer, PIO for the Juniper Fire said there were several “wind driven events” Sunday but nothing “too serious.”

Crews will monitor the fire overnight.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/07/21/witnesses-say-broken-wind-turbine-caused-several-hundred-acre-fire/