FIREFIGHTERS DOUSE GRASS/STRUCTURE FIRE IN RURAL JOSEPH

A firefighter applies water to an outbuilding while a second structure continues to burn

  

Water cascades outside a wall as a firefighter
douses hot spots in building's interior

Joseph and Enterprise firefighters responded to a grass fire that spread to nearby structures off Imnaha Highway Thursday afternoon, July 17.

Several acres were blackened and at least two outbuildings sustained heavy damage. A nearby house was saved.

The fire is under investigation, but initial signs indicated the cause either was either electrical  or an earlier permitted burn that reignited.

Assisting on the scene were personnel from the Oregon Department of Forestry and Wallowa County Sheriff's Office.

While the fire was burning, Wallowa Fire Department was dispatched to a simultaneous wildfire in rural Wallowa.

Wallowa County has been the scene of numerous lightning-caused wildfires in recent days because of high temperatures and low humidity in brush and grass.