Powerline Fire: Crews Capture 'Fire Whirl' In Midst Of Blaze

GRANT COUNTY, WA — Grant County firefighters on the front lines of the Powerline Fire north of Mattawa shared dramatic video of a "fire whirl" as the blaze ripped through the region's tall, dry grass.

The Powerline Fire as of Tuesday had grown to nearly 8,000 acres but was also 65 percent contained, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. Level 1 and 2 evacuations remained in place around 11 a.m. July 16, but the Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team said favorable weather and tenacious suppression efforts were contributing to what ultimately looks to be a short-duration fire.

Initially comprised of more than 200 personnel, the total Powerline fire team had reportedly decreased to just 90 firefighters by Tuesday morning. No official cause has yet been established for the blaze, though local news outlets in Kennewick said local police authorities indicated it may have been started by sparks accidentally created by two motorcyclists.

Located roughly four miles north of Mattawa, the Powerline Fire was first reported at 12:38 p.m. July 14. Spreading quickly through the grassy region and spurred forth by high winds, the fire reportedly pushed east toward the Saddle Mountains, north of Road 23 Southwest and Wahluke Road Southwest — an area occupied by several vineyards.

WATCH: Video shared on Facebook July 14 by Grant County Fire District 13 showed a "fire whirl" that appeared early on in the midst of the blaze.

Evacuations were quickly issued for the residents of 20-plus structures threatened by the growing fire, with evacuees advised to hunker down at Wahluke High School in Mattawa.

Fire crews throughout Monday strengthened fire lines and worked with utility providers to restore electricity to nearby homes affected after roughly 10 power poles were destroyed.

S.E. Washington Interagency Team Incident Commander Tony Gilmer on Tuesday said full containment is expected by Wednesday, July 17, at which time command of suppression efforts would be returned to local authorities.