What Triggered Yakima Delta Fire? Homeless Camp, Say Officials
Two fires that combined burned well over 200 acres of wildlands and brush are blamed on humans, say officials.
Richland Fire officials say a homeless camp on the west side of Highway 240 in the Yakima River Delta area is the cause of the blaze which spread to the east side of the road. April 28th, reports came in of a tree on fire west of 240, and crews responded.
Initially they believed it had started near an animal culvert crossing between the east and west side of the road, but then as they battled and investigated the fire, they found the camp. It had a firepit, several tents, chairs, cook stoves; and even one source said a dead cat was found at the site.