Wind fans flames on lentils

Jana Mathia | Aug 27, 20200

GARFIELD—Every fire district in the county and Potlatch responded to a field fire Saturday, battling high winds as the fire spread from lentils to standing grain, stubble and railroad tracks, destroying a trestle. Fire crews were one scene about seven hours, fighting a fire that ignites off a combine near Sunrise Road and spread one and a half miles to Highway 27.

The call went out at 3:30 p.m. Sunrise Road is located south of Garfield, west of the highway.

According to Whitman County Fire District 3 Chief Chris McCully, wind was 100% of the issue in fighting the fire. High winds fed the fire enough oxygen it was burning lentils; McCully said he has never seen lentils burn before, but on Saturday there were flames three to four feet high.

McCully estimated 20 to 25 vehicles responded to the call Saturday. One home was threatened, but no structures were damaged except for the trestle. The rail line that crossed the trestle is an active line.

Crews were back out on Sunday three times to put out hot spots as the rail tracks continued to burn.

“We're really glad for the response,” said McCully. With low humidity, high winds and thicker than average grain fields, concerns were high that a fire on Saturday could get out of hand. McCully said he was grateful for all the departments that came to help. That help included two crop dusters from St. John dropping water on the fire.

The heavy smoke from the fire caused state and county law enforcement to block Highway 27 north of Palouse to the Garfield-Farmington Road until about 7 p.m.