New information on the massive compost fire that happened Saturday around 6p.m. in East Lewiston.
The Nez Perce County Fire, Clearwater Paper Fire, Wheatland Fire, Asotin County Fire District No. 1, and the Idaho Department of Lands battled the fire at the Clearwater Composting facility.
Crews were dispatched around 6:15 p.m. and were on the scene well into the night.
The winds did not let up. Fire officials say embers jumped across the road and onto the hillside that sparked the wildland fire.
Water drops helped crews get ahead of the fire’s spread.
“The grass dried out super early this year,” said Jon Dahmen, LFD Battalion Chief.
It was all hands-on deck. Officials said it was not only a fight with the fire but also the wind.
“Just when that big pile got going from the wind, it intensified, the heat and those piles are already hot,” said Dahmen.