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Wheat Harvest Equipment Ignited Blue Creek Fire Near Walla Walla

Firefighters on the fireline near Walla Walla, Washington, on July 25, 2015.
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Firefighters on the fireline near Walla Walla, Washington, on July 25, 2015.

Residents of Walla Walla, Washington, are seeing less smoke from the nearby Blue Creek Fire. Conditions are improving for the wildfire that began two weeks ago and most firefighters have been sent home.

Danielle Munzing with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources said they now know what caused the fire.

“The Department of Natural Resources investigation found that the cause of the fire was a result of equipment during wheat harvest,” she said. “The conditions have been very dry and hot with low humidities, so all of those things factor in too."

The Blue Creek Fire is now 95 percent contained. But drought conditions have intensified other fires in the area including the Phillips Creek Fire in the Blue Mountains.

Forest officials are asking drivers to be cautious when traveling around Walla Walla as fire season continues.

Copyright 2015 Northwest News Network

Olivia Weitz