Winona Fire 40% contained

Aug. 21—WINONA — Fire crews have the Winona Fire 40% contained as of Sunday afternoon.

The fire began around 2:30 p.m. Friday and is currently estimated to be around 2,500 acres, according to a news release. The fire is still burning grass and brush, threatening crop land, rangeland and primary and secondary structures.

One primary structure was destroyed and another was damaged, along with several secondary structures upon the initial outbreak, according to the news release.

The SE Washington Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the fire on Friday. Two additional crews and one strike team arrived to help on Sunday, according to the news release.

The goal is to focus on the area where the fire started and the town of Winona, a small town in western Whitman County, to ensure all hot spots are extinguished and infrastructure is protected, according to the news release.

Residents of Winona were issued a level 1 evacuation order, which was downgraded from a level 3 Saturday afternoon, according to the news release. Home and landowners may return to their properties. However, residents are encouraged to be prepared to leave the area if necessary.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.