By Al Camp
Chronicle staff

     Firefighters from Tonasket to Malott responded to a fire that destroyed two buildings and swept through rangeland the afternoon of May 24.
     The fire, which was toned at 2:32 p.m., started north of a large barn/horse stable and garage owned by Del Adams.
     Adams, 77, said he was sleeping in a small trailer when Della Valentine called and warned him and his wife, Norma, of a fire being blown south towards their property due to strong winds.
     Valentine also called in the fire to the county.
     The couple rescued their motorhome and car. He was driven back to the residence by a firefighter and managed to get a pickup truck moved, too.
     Adams moved the vehicles up Seahawk Drive to the residence of his son, Mike Adams.
     Omak fire chief Kevin Bowling said the fireball created by the fire was one of the largest he's ever seen. Smoke could be seen in Omak more than six miles south.
     A new riding lawnmower, 6x6 timber and other items were destroyed in the barn. Mike Adams said he lost a Honda Goldwing motorcycle in the fire.
     A small trailer where Del and Norma Adams lived was saved.
     Firefighters had some difficulty in getting water on a shed over a hillside due to live downed power lines.
     Del Adams said he lost another barn structure about 1.5 years ago. He said he did not have insurance on the current buildings.
     Firefighters were called back to the site at least five times after the fire due to flareups, including around 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 25.
     Okanogan Fire Chief Gordon Hennigs said preliminary findings found winds caused power lines to slap each other, with sparks igniting grass near an irrigation pump about 250 yards north of the structures.
     Two firefighters were none to have been treated for possible dehydration, said Hennigs.
     Firefighters were still on the scene at 4:30 p.m. making sure the fire was contained and not threatening homes or businesses to the south.