Car Crash Near Orondo Sparks Brush Fire

A drunk driver is being blamed for a one vehicle accident that sparked a brush fire Monday afternoon around 4:15 about ten miles north of Orondo on US 97.

Douglas County Fire District 4 Chief Jim Oatey said 28-year-old Drew Hooper of Wenatchee was driving a 2009 Kia Rio when he left the road and crashed into a ditch, causing a fire that spread to the nearby dry grass.

"Upon arrival units (went to) control the brush fire. The car was totally engulfed when we arrived." explained Oatey, "Our main priority was keeping the brush fire from spreading and becoming a large fire."

Fourteen firefighters and six fire apparatus responded to the incident. The fire was contained to about 1/8th of an acre. A stack of wooden utility poles was heavily damaged in the blaze. Crews battled the fire for about 30-45 minutes in total.

Hooper and a passenger fled the scene and attempted to hide in a nearby orchard, but were soon discovered. Hooper was charged with drunk driving.