Colfax Fire Quickly Respond to Wildland Fire Near Schmuck Park

Colfax, Wash – On March 22 at approximately 5:30 pm, Colfax Fire was paged to an unknown outside fire in the area of Schmuck Park. While the first engine was enroute, Dispatch received further information that it was a wildland fire on North Palouse River Scenic Drive. This triggered an automatic response from Fire District 11 (Colfax, Albion, Diamond and Steptoe) As the first engine arrived, they found a fire in timber and brush on the side of the canyon. Additional resources from across the County were requested. Mutual aid was sent from Fire Districts 7 (Rosalia), 3 (Garfield), 4 (Palouse), 12 (Pullman) and 8 (Lacrosse). Multiple structures were threatened on North Palouse River Scenic Drive and Hilty Road. Thanks to quick response from firefighters, no structures were lost. Crews were able to sufficiently contain the blaze and a night crew monitored it all night. Crews will be on scene Thursday patrolling and mopping up hot spots. Approximately 5 acres and timber and brush were burned. The cause of the fire is under investigation.