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25+ homes destroyed (see map below)Wildfire burns 200,000 acres
BENTON CITY-- (Thursday, 6-29-00)---After a head-on, car-truck collision sparked a brush fire Tuesday afternoon near the intersections of Hwys. 24 and 240, the resulting blaze still raged out of control early today, according to reports.
The fire has destroyed 25 homes in Benton City, and two near the Horn Rapids golf course community. Firefighters weren't sure of the fire's frontiers as it expanded during warm night temperatures.
The fire is fed by extremely flammable sagebrush and egged on by dry winds during this unseasonably hot, late June.
The fire started moments after a a '99 Chrysler, driven by Phyllis L. Arnold, 67, Mattawa, crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a heavy semi truck driven by Reynaldo Gomez, 33, of Othello at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday. The truck was hauling liquid apple waste.
Arnold reportedly was killed instantly. Gomez suffered injuries to his knees and walked away from the accident.
Alcohol reportedly was not involved in the tragedy, which left only shards of Arnold's Chrysler on the roadway.
State Troopers said Arnold may have drifted into the oncoming lane because of drowsiness while returning to Mattawa from a dental appointment in Yakima. She reportedly drove onto the shoulder, over corrected, and veered into the oncoming lane.
She was described as a saintly person very devoted to her family and community.
The collision caused the truck's fuel tanks to explode, sending white hot flames into roadside brush. From there, the fire expanded to 1,000 acres Tuesday to some 200,000 acres by early today. The truck was destroyed.
The resulting fire stormed into the Arid Lands Ecology Reserve Wednesday, burning a large piece of the newly decreed Hanford Reach National Monument. A section of the pristine reserve--never touched by U.S. settlements--went up in smoke.
A couple of Hanford's nuclear installations were threatened, but weren't involved early today. Power outages were reported in West Richland.
Local schools and churches have provided food, drink, and shelter for evacuees, while many sought refuge with friends and relatives
Firefighters from Benton and Yakima Counties and Hanford nearly had the blaze under control Tuesday, but it caught a second wind and went out of control.
Late Wednesday, the National Guard was called in, and the area was declared a national disaster area. Hundreds of firefighters from surrounding areas are battling the fire, with support from the Red Cross and other relief agencies.
Out-of-towners with loved ones in the area may call several numbers to obtain information, including:
- Benton County Sheriff (509) 735-6555
- Benton County Emergency Mgmt. Center (509) 628-0303 or 2600
- Benton City, West Richland Police (509) 628-0333
- Richland Public Info Officer (509) 942-7386
Scale: It's about 90 miles from Yakima to Richland (Click for WA State Map)