Single Publication

The Vantage Highway Fire is currently burning approximately 5 miles west of Vantage, WA. 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

A warming trend with lower relative humidity is expected into the weekend and early next week with temperatures today in the mid-80s. Winds will be terrain driven and mainly upslope under 10 mph.

Operations

Yesterday firefighters continued to mop-up, patrol, and reinforce the northern and eastern perimeters of the fire, increasing containment in both areas. The fire was most active on the west flank, moving down the drainages and into the windfarm. Firefighters were assisted by Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue in firefighting operations around the windmills. There was no damage to the wind farm infrastructure from the fire.

Today, firefighters will work on securing the western perimeter of the fire. Fire crews will continue to patrol for flare-ups and spot fires and will conduct mop-up operations. Firefighters will remain vigilant for spot fires and will engage interior flare-ups as needed when the fire finds unburned fuels on the interior of the fire. The helicopter assigned to the Cow Canyon Fire will be shared with the Vantage Highway Fire as needed.

Vantage Highway is open.

Closures

The Quilomene and Whiskey Dick wildlife area units within the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area are temporarily closed to protect public safety during the Vantage Highway Fire.