Fireworks Blamed for 400-Acre Burn Near Mabton

With the triple digit temps coming this weekend, and early next, much of the Columbia Basin is under a red-flag fire watch. That apparently didn't stop somebody from using fireworks where they're not supposed to.

According to Yakima County Fire officials, Wednesday night some 400 acres of cheat grass and a few grape growing areas were torched by a blaze that was attributed to fireworks.

Officials have traced the start of the blaze to the 28000 block area of State Highway 22 near Mabton.

County officials say they have cited a person identified with the fire, as a likely suspect. The fire was first reported around 4pm Wednesday afternoon.

With high fire danger conditions in many areas, officials say fireworks use is discouraged anywhere near open fields or other areas where sparks or debris from the fireworks could set off a blaze.

Fortunately, no buildings were destroyed and no one was injured in the fire.