Minimal damage caused by 5-10 acre fire on the edge of WSU Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. – Minimal damage was reported after a five to 10 acre fire claimed a field at the edge of the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus Friday evening. The fire is now contained.

Firefighters responded to a call at 10:17 p.m. and extinguished the blaze shortly afterward. The fire burned a field between the Albert Ravenholt Teaching Vineyard and the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center on campus. The only structural damage appears to be to several composting boxes at the edge of the vineyard.

There is no information as to what caused the blaze at this time, but the Richland Fire Department will continue to investigate.

Chancellor Sandra Haynes said she was impressed by the swiftness at which local fire departments responded to the fire and that minimal damage was done.

“A big thanks goes out to the Richland, Kennewick, Hanford and Benton County fire departments that were quick to put out the fire,” she said. “We’re thankful that the fire was extinguished quickly and that little damage was done to any structural components on campus.”

Contact:

Maegan Murray, WSU Tri-Cities public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, Maegan_murray@wsu.edu