Local crews hold Winona Fire to 2,525 acres

Tensfeld gives all the clear, but he is still urging caution

OLIVIA HARNACK, Free Press Publishing | Aug 24, 20230

Roger Harnack | Free Press Publishing count

The Rebel Flat Creek railroad trestle in Winona was destroyed Friday, Aug. 18, by wildfire that raced through dry grass and wheat fields.

WINONA — Local fire crews contained the Winona Fire after it decimated 2,525 acres over the weekend.

Whitman County Emergency Management Director Bill Tensfeld reported a fire management team that arrived Saturday to help local crews departed Monday, Aug. 21, after assisting with containing 90% of the blaze.

Whitman County Fire District No. 6 is monitoring the smoldering Rebel Flat Creek train trestle that burned Friday and watching for remaining hot spots.

"They will take care of any hot spots," he said. "The team that just left pretty much mopped up the perimeter. It should no longer be a da...