Single Publication

COW CANYON FIRE
Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar
 

August 9, 2022
 

SIZE: 5,832 acres

CONTAINMENT: 40%

CAUSE: Under Investigation

PERSONNEL: 388

RESOURCES:

Hand Crews: 14

Engines: 14

Dozers: 5

Water Tenders: 8

Helicopter: 1

FIRE INFORMATION:

509-557-0063

2022.cowcanyon@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwafireinfo

The fire is currently burning approximately 11 miles north of Naches, WA through the Manastash border of Yakima and Kittitas Counties. The Incident Command Post at the Kittitas Fairgrounds in Ellensburg is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of community members and firefighters.

Weather

Hot and dry conditions will continue today, with temperatures in the low 90s in the Cow Canyon Fire area. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory through 11 PM tonight. There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms tonight and tomorrow.

Operations

Hotter weather today combined with the threat of thunderstorms this evening and tomorrow have firefighters watchful for any new ignitions from lightning strikes or increases in fire behavior on the Cow Canyon Fire. Strong outflow winds from passing storms could also reignite smoldering vegetation and experience rapid fire growth. Fire crews around the fire are prepared to defend existing containment lines and quickly engage new fire starts if needed.

Firefighters worked on mop-up farther into the interior of the fire yesterday, including near islands of unburned fuels around retardant lines created by tanker planes. Fire crews are mopping up around these retardant patches to ensure no smoldering fire could be coaxed back to life by the forecasted weather and threaten containment lines. Firefighters are repairing dozer fire lines on the inside of the fire, as well as removing hazardous fire-weakened trees for safety along roads.

Closures

Although evacuation levels have been reduced to 1 (be ready) across the fire area, some closures remain for public and firefighter safety.

In Kittitas County Manastash Road is closed at Cove Road and Umptanum Road (Ellensburg Pass) is closed at Shushuskin Road.

In Yakima County, North Wenas Road (Ellensburg Pass) is closed at Maloy Road. Maloy Road and Audubon Roads are also closed.

Local traffic is permitted to access residences and private property.

In the interest of public safety, the entire Wenas Wildlife Area, Umptanum Falls and Manastash Trail (Manastash Book) are closed.