SOAP LAKE, Wash. -- Grant County firefighters extinguished a small wildfire near Soap Lake on Friday that they said was caused by an illegal burn.

Firefighters said the blaze threatened homes and was hard to suppress due soft and inaccessible ground that caused firetrucks to get stuck. Much of the fire had to be suppressed by firefighters on foot. It ultimately burned about 61 acres.

Community members helped fire crews extinguish the fire, with one person who actively helped fight the flames and Meulman Custom Stacking and Meulman Farms, which helped provided equipment to get firetrucks unstuck.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office is in contact with the person they believe started the fire.

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