STEVENSON, Wash. -- A fire at a Native American fishing site burned the tribal chief's home, along with some priceless historical possessions.
Firefighters had to jump on the blaze fast, to keep it from spreading up a nearby hillside. The fire started around 6 a.m. and 30 firefighters responded.
Johnny Jackson, 84, is the chief of the Cascade Band of the Yakima Nation. He's been connected to this site for most of his life.
"He lost his war bonnet, he lost his breast plates, he lost all his beadwork, he lost his burial buckskin outfit, he lost all of his Native American blankets and art, they're all gone," his brother told KGW.
The items were not only historical, but very special to Chief Jackson. It was too much of a loss for him to even talk about.
But much was saved, too. The fire easily could have raced up the canyon and turned into a raging wildfire if it hadn't been for the quick responders and lack of wind at the time. The area is usually known for having high winds.
Fire danger is extremely high in the area this week and the fire marshal has banned burning of any kind in Skamania County.
