On July 4, 2021, the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office responded to a grass fire in the town of Lyle in Klickitat County, Washington. The fire was reported to be on the west side of town, but was headed towards structures in town. Dispatch advised they had received a second report of fire behind the Lyle Activity Center near the playgrounds. A short time later dispatch advised of a third report of a fire across the street from the Lyle Activity Center.
Due to the multiple reports of fires in the town of Lyle, the close proximity to residences, as well as reports the fire was moving quickly, the Klickitat County Sheriff Office issued a level 3 evacuation of the town of Lyle. Department of Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff King sent out notifications to using an emergency notification system.
A level 3 evacuation notice indicates there is danger currently affection your area or is imminent and you should leave immediately. The level 3 evacuation notices warn that if you do not leave the First Responders may not be able to reach you.
Undersheriff Tim Neher, Sergeant Erik Anderson, Deputy Mitch Kegley, Deputy Randy Wells, and Reserve Deputy Cody Melton responded to the call. Trooper Jacob Pont with the Washington State Patrol responded to assist, as well as numerous Law Enforcement Officers with the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Department, Washington State Parks Department, and the United Stated National Forest Service.
State Route 14 and State Route 142 were closed to the public due to fire units being on both sides of the roadway. The Washington State Department of Transportation was called in to assist in closing the highways.
Witnesses provided some information on who was involved in starting the fire. Sergeant Anderson contacted a juvenile who reported to Sergeant Anderson an 18-year-old named Alexander Tally of Dallesport, Washington, had lit the firework that started the fire.
Tally was contacted by Sergeant Anderson and admitted to throwing the firework that started the fire. Tally stated he did not intend to start a fire when he threw the firework.
Sergeant Anderson spoke with John Schmeltz a fire investigator with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and learned the Washington State Department of Natural Resources was pursuing restitution costs of fighting the fire that was caused by Tally. Schmeltz advised the cost of fighting the fire was between $75,000.00 and $100,000.00.
On July 11, 2021, Sergeant Anderson served Tally with a criminal citation charging him with “Reckless Burning in the Second Degree”.
To register or maintain your information for emergency notifications in Klickitat County, go to www.klickitatcounty.org/249/Emergency-Management. Click on Emergency Notifications to receive text, email, or cell and landline calls to your location. Create a managed account to add cell #’s and emails for text and/or email messages. Register through your Google, Facebook, or Twitter account. Phone messages in Spanish are available for those who need it.
Sheriff Songer wants to thank all of the First Responders for their quick response and cooperation in this situation.