YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. – Over 37,000 Pacific Power customers across Yakima, Selah and surrounding areas were without power on Thu., May 30 due to a fire, according to Pacific Power.
Power has since been restored. Pacific Power says the outage was an emergency de-energization.
According to East Valley Fire Department Captain Ryan Evers, the fire burned around 150 to 200 acres of brush.
Evers says the fire started at around 4:19 p.m. near Rest Haven Road north of Marsh Road. No one was injured and it was put out at 6:21 p.m.
No powerlines or power poles were damaged as a result, according to Evers. The fire’s cause is under investigation.
Crews from the Yakima Training Center, Selah Fire Department, Gleed Fire Department and EVFD all responded. YTC also used their helicopters to help fight the fire.
Pacific Power Communications Specialist Pampi Chowdhury says the company shut off power in Yakima to avoid additional fire risk and to protect first responders. Because of the wildfire being within two miles of Pacific Power equipment, the power company de-energized.
