Fire Threatens WSU Vineyards

A small wildfire threatened research grapes on the WSU-Tri-Cities campus Friday evening.  Richland firefighters were called to campus shortly after 10 p.m., after the fire broke out between the Wine Science Center and the Albert Ravenholt Teaching Vineyard.  The only structural damage appears to be to several composting boxes at the edge of the vineyard.  The fire burned between 5-10 acres.  The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Chancellor Sandra Haynes said she was impressed by the swiftness at which local fire departments responded to the fire and that minimal damage was done.

“A big thanks goes out to the Richland, Kennewick, Hanford and Benton County fire departments that were quick to put out the fire,” Haynes said. “We’re thankful that the fire was extinguished quickly and that little damage was done to any structural components on campus."

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