Local crews hold Winona Fire to 2,525 acres

WINONA — Local fire crews contained the Winona Fire after it decimated 2,525 acres over the weekend.

Whitman County Emergency Management Director Bill Tensfeld reported a fire management team that arrived Saturday to help local crews departed Monday, Aug. 21, after assisting with containing 90% of the blaze.

Whitman County Fire District No. 6 is monitoring the smoldering Rebel Flat Creek train trestle that burned Friday and watching for remaining hot spots.

"They will take care of any hot spots," he said. "The team that just left pretty much mopped up the perimeter. It should no longer be a danger."

Evacuation recommendations have been rescinded, he said.

With rain that moved into the area Monday and Tuesday, Tensfled said air quality is improving.

"It'll take quite a bit of rain, but I expect it [the fire] to burn itself out," Tensfeld said.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation.

Officials said the blaze broke out at about 2:31 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18. At the height of the fire, four Fire Boss aircraft, 10 engines, two water crews and 97 firefighters joined local farmers and ranchers in controlling the blaze as it burned in dry brush, grass and wheat.

"We had a good turnout of volunteers and the community," Tensfeld said. "There were no injuries, and it was just a pretty big fire.

"It happened real quick. It could have been a lot worse."

As the fire raced through dry grass and sage, it eventually caught the trestle on fire. In addition, 24 abandoned houses, structures and RVs.

But local firefighters were able to save the historic downtown buildings (previously a bank and City Hall) and the old General Mills grain elevator and plant.

Winona resident Patrick Dowell – he owns the last couple historic buildings downtown - watched the fire as it burned a couple RVs behind his buildings.

"Boy, I sure hope they save my place," he said while watching the fire.

Wearing a mask, he notified firefighters of propane tanks and other dangers while they saved his property.

"By the hair of my chinny, chin chin," he said after the danger subsided. "That was pretty dam close."

Only one primary home was destroyed and a second damaged, officials said.

"Everything has been checked two or three times by fire crews, but residents should stay vigilant over the next few weeks," Tensfeld said. "Anything is possible; you can't predict fire."