Kittitas and Yakima Counties have reduced all evacuation levels on the Cow Canyon Fire to a level 1 (be ready). Kittitas County Evacuation Levels: https://kitcogis.maps.arcgis.com/.../minima.../index.html...Yakima County Evacuation Levels: https://www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM

COW CANYON FIRE

Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar 

August 7, 2022
 

Hand Crews: 13

Engines: 11

Dozers: 10

Water Tenders: 3

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

The warming and drying trend will continue today and into Monday with temperatures in the upper 80s across the Cow Canyon Fire. Very dry air will move over the region, leading to low relative humidity. There will be an increasing chance for showers and thunderstorms Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Operations

Fire activity decreased yesterday around the northwestern perimeter. Smoldering and creeping fire moved into remaining areas of unburned fuel inside the fire containment lines. Helicopters and scooper fixed-wing aircraft provided water drops on the northeast perimeter, knocking down a spot fire. Additional resources arrived to assist with mop-up operations yesterday, including some fire crews that were reassigned due to decreasing activity on the Vantage Highway Fire. Limited tactical firing operations were conducted in the Mud Flats area to clean up residual fuels left over from the burnout on Friday night.

Today, firefighters are working to secure the fireline in the Mud Flat area. Fire crews will be constructing additional direct fire control lines along the northwestern perimeter to secure that portion of the fire. Around the remaining fire perimeter, fire crews will continue to mop-up and patrol, looking for any remaining hot spots.  

Closures

The entirety of the Wenas Wildlife Area is temporarily closed for human safety due to the Cow Canyon Fire.

Evacuations

Level 2 and 3 evacuations are in place on the Cow Canyon Fire in both Yakima and Kittitas Counties. Evacuation details for Yakima County are located at https://www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM and Kittitas County are at https://tinyurl.com/2225ruhs.

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12
Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar
August 6, 2022

FIRE INFORMATION:
509-557-0063
2022.cowcanyon@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwafireinfo
INCIWEB:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8305/

SIZE: 4,633 acres (Fire acreage updated due to more accurate mapping)
CONTAINMENT: 15%
CAUSE: Under Investigation
RESOURCES:
Hand Crews: 6
Engines: 6
Dozers: 6
Water Tenders: 2
Helicopter: 1

There will be a virtual community meeting today a 5PM on the Central Washington Fire Information page.

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
A warming and drying trend is moving through the area with temperatures in the lower 80s today.

Operations
There was increased fire activity yesterday on the north and west flanks of the fire as winds from the east moved the fire down the North Fork Wenas drainage. Firefighters located and quickly extinguished a few spot fires midday, while both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were used for water and retardant drops on northwest portion of the fire throughout the day. Dozer line was constructed on the northwest side of the fire near Mud Flat Road. Fire crews worked along Audubon Road, improving the road to use as a fireline. Firefighters also assessed and prepped structures in the Manastash Creek area. Late in the evening, fire crews completed a burn out operation to remove fuels on the northwest flank between the head of the fire and the dozer line. Firefighters worked through the night to locate and suppress any spot fires.

Today, fire crews will continue to secure the northwest flank of the fire as well as watch for spot fires or flare ups that may emerge as the temperatures warm through the day. Firefighters will be scouting for spot fires to further secure the perimeter. Multiple aircraft are available today for water bucket drops and retardant as needed.

Closures and Evacuations
The entirety of the Wenas Wildlife Area is temporarily closed for human safety due to the Cow Canyon Fire.

Level 2 and 3 evacuations are in place on the Cow Canyon Fire in both Yakima and Kittitas Counties. Evacuation details for Yakima County are located at https://www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM and Kittitas County are at https://tinyurl.com/2225ruhs.

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Cow Canyon Fire. Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.

 Virtual Community Meeting 

Cow Canyon Fire Update
NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12
Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar 
August 5, 2022
FIRE INFORMATION:509-557-0063
2022.cowcanyon@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwafireinfo
INCIWEB:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8305/  
 
COW CANYON FIRE
SIZE: 5,600 acres
CONTAINMENT: 0%
CAUSE: Under Investigation
PERSONNEL: Approx. 300

RESOURCES:
Hand Crews: 6
Engines: 6
Dozers: 5
Water Tenders: 6
Helicopter: 1

 
Northwest Incident Team 12 took command of the Cow Canyon Fire at 6 AM today. 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 
The next several days will be warmer, with temperatures in the mid-70s today and lower 80s tomorrow. Winds will decrease after the passing of the cold front yesterday with relative humidity in the mid-20% range.
 
Operations
Yesterday, the fire moved eastward aligning with the topography upslope toward Manastash Ridge. Dozer line was constructed along the ridge and airtankers dropped retardant to reinforce the dozer line, keeping the fire west of Manastash Ridge. Firefighters on other areas of the fire were able to successfully engage with limited tactical firing operations to secure fireline on the northeast side of the fire. A cold front passed through yesterday, bringing windy conditions which caused a few spot fires late into the evening that were quickly extinguished. 
 
Today, firefighters will be assessing and prepping structures on the north side of the fire in the Manastash Creek area as well as removing fire-weakened hazard trees along roads. Firefighters will continue constructing fireline and will utilize both an incident helicopter and DNR IA aircraft for water bucket drops on active areas of the fire. 
 
Winds are expected to shift to the northeast late morning, which may cause an increase in fire activity, including short-range spotting on the south and west flanks. There are many pockets of unburned fuel that will readily burn as the temperatures rise and the humidity drops significantly.

Closures and Evacuations
The entirety of the Wenas Wildlife Area is temporarily closed for human safety due to the Cow Canyon Fire.
 
Level 2 and 3 evacuations are in place on the Cow Canyon Fire in both Yakima and Kittitas Counties. Evacuation details for Yakima County are located at https://www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM and Kittitas County are at https://tinyurl.com/2225ruhs.
 
TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Cow Canyon Fire. Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  

Cow Canyon Fire Update

August 4, 2021 4:00 a.m.

Fire Information Line: 360-706-3121 (Daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Size: 1,500 acres
Total Personnel: 100
Containment: 0%
Cause: Under investigation
Structures Threatened: Apx. 50 single residences
Structures Lost: 0 

The Cow Canyon Fire was first reported on August 3 at approximately 2:45 p.m. The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber in moderately difficult terrain. A high level of resources were ordered and multiple crews and aircraft responded.   

The fire is burning in brush, grass and timber. It was first assessed at 5 acres and grew to approximately 1500 acres. Multiple engine crews, air resources and heavy equipment are on scene. Evacuation orders are currently impacting approximately 50 homes or structures. No major injuries have been reported to residents or firefighting personnel.

Air resources provided heavy attack on the fire throughout August 3. Aircraft are using local bodies of water, including Wenas Lake, to fill. Recreational boaters should be aware of aircraft takeoff and landings and keep a safe distance.

This operational period, crews will engage in direct and indirect attack on both flanks of the fire with the goal of securing and increasing containment.

Evacuations and Closures: The most up-to-date evacuation information is available through Yakima County Emergency Management at the following link:

Yakima County Emergency Management

Per Yakima County Emergency Management, Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuations are in place for a 1.5 mile radius from the intersection of Malloy Road and North Wenas Road. 

An emergency shelter has been established at the Selah Civic Center. Anyone displaced by the fire can call the American Red Cross at 509-457-1690.

Weather: Forecast for August 4 is partly sunny skies with a highs in the 80s. West wind 7-14 mph with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Smoke Information: Smoke will be visible throughout most of the Yakima Valley and may impact air quality. Visit https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ for local air quality information.

Fire Restrictions: An outdoor burn ban is in place for most of Central and Eastern Washington. Campfires are prohibited or restricted throughout the region. Visit https://www.dnr.wa.gov/burn-restrictions for the most up-to-date campfire and burn information.

Vantage Highway Fire Update

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12

Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar

August 11, 2022
 

VANTAGE HIGHWAY FIRE

SIZE: 30,659 acres

CONTAINMENT: 90%

CAUSE: Under Investigation

PERSONNEL: 154

RESOURCES:

Hand Crew: 2

Engines: 5

Dozer: 1

 

FIRE INFORMATION 8/11:

509-557-0063

2022.vantagehighway@firenet.gov

FIRE INFORMATION FROM 8/12 ONWARDS:

360-706-3121

ryan.rodruck@dnr.wa.gov

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/cwafireinfo 
 
 

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

Today is NW Incident Management Team 12’s last day on the Cow Canyon Fire. Management of remaining firefighting resources will transition back to the Southeast Washington Department of Natural Resources tomorrow morning. Northwest IMT 12 would like to thank the Kittitas School District for hosting firefighters at the Kittitas Secondary School. We also would like to thank the Ellensburg Rodeo and Kittitas County Fairgrounds for hosting the Incident Command Post, and thank you to the local community for your support and hospitality!

Weather

The Vantage Highway Fire area will be a little cooler today, with temperatures in the upper 80s and lower 90s. A cold front will be moving through the Pacific Northwest on Saturday, bringing lower temperatures and strong and gusty winds.

Operations

Firefighters are patrolling and working to complete any remaining repairs on fire containment lines today. Firefighters on the Vantage Highway Fire remain ready to assist local agencies with any new fire starts in the area. Fire equipment, hoses, and all litter is being collected and removed from control lines, roads, and staging areas.

Most remaining resources on the Vantage Highway Fire will demobilize from the fire at the end of the day today; some local Department of Natural Resources firefighters and engines will remain to patrol the fire after NW IMT 12 leaves tomorrow.

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.

Fire Prevention

On average, human-caused wildfires make up 87% of all wildfire occurrences annually. Many of these wildfires occur in proximity to roadways, communities, and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety. Members of the community can help us by making responsible decisions when they recreate on public lands and by following public fire restrictions.

Vantage Highway Fire Update
Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar

August 10, 2022

SIZE: 30,659 acres

CONTAINMENT: 90%

CAUSE: Under Investigation

PERSONNEL: 126

RESOURCES:

Hand Crew: 1

Engines: 5

Dozer: 1

FIRE INFORMATION:

509-557-0063

2022.vantagehighway@firenet.gov

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/cwafireinfo

The Vantage Highway Fire is located 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

It will be hot and dry in the Cow Canyon Fire area today, with temperatures in the mid-90s. There is a chance for thunderstorms today and tonight.

Operations

No storms or strong winds impacted the fire area yesterday. Firefighters continued fire suppression repair work, adding water bars to roads and restoring natural drainage to areas impacted by firefighting, reducing the potential for sediment from containment lines to impact local streams and rivers.

There remains a possibility of thunderstorms today. Firefighters are patrolling along containment lines on the Vantage Highway Fire and remain watchful for any flare-ups due to outflow winds from passing storms or new fire starts. Decreasing activity on the Vantage Highway Fire requires fewer resources, allowing excess equipment and crews to be demobilized to rest and refurbish equipment and be prepared to assist on other fires in the region.

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.

Fire Prevention

On average, human-caused wildfires make up 87% of all wildfire occurrences annually. Many of these wildfires occur in proximity to roadways, communities, and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety. Members of the community can help us by making responsible decisions when they recreate on public lands and by following public fire restrictions.

Vantage Highway Fire

Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar

August 9, 2022

SIZE: 30,659 acres

CONTAINMENT: 90%

CAUSE: Under Investigation

PERSONNEL: 155

RESOURCES:

Hand Crews: 2

Engines: 5

Dozer: 1

FIRE INFORMATION:

509-557-0063

2022.vantagehighway@firenet.gov

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/cwafireinfo 
 
 

The Vantage Highway Fire is located 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

Hot and dry conditions will continue today, with temperatures in the mid-90s in the Vantage Highway 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

Dedicated work by firefighters has increased containment on the Vantage Highway Fire to 90% today. Firefighters began the fire suppression repair work yesterday which repairs the damage caused by fighting the fire. These repairs include adding water bars to roads and restoring natural drainage to areas impacted by firefighting, reducing the potential for sediment from containment lines to impact local streams and rivers.

Hot and dry weather today combined with the possibility of thunderstorms this evening and tomorrow have firefighters watchful along containment lines on the Vantage Highway Fire and on the lookout for new fire starts. Thunderstorms may create 30-40 mph outflow winds, which could cause flare-ups and lead to rapid fire growth from any ignition source. A strike team of engines will be patrolling the Vantage Highway Fire today and is ready to respond quickly to any increase in fire activity or new fires.

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. 

Vantage Highway Fire Update

Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar

August 8, 2022
 

SIZE: 30,635 acres (updated acreage due to more accurate mapping)

CONTAINMENT: 75%
PERSONNEL: 117

RESOURCES:

Hand Crews: 2

FIRE INFORMATION:

509-557-0063

2022.vantagehighway@firenet.gov

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/cwafireinfo

The Vantage Highway Fire is located 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

Today will be hot and dry, with temperatures in the mid-90s in the Cow Canyon Fire area. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for noon today through Tuesday night. There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Operations

Firefighters have made excellent progress suppressing the Vantage Highway Fire, with containment climbing to 75% today. Yesterday, fire crews patrolled around the fire and monitored for any remaining heat sources near containment lines. Resource advisors from the BLM gathered field data on the Vantage Highway Fire to help determine what post-fire restoration may be needed to protect natural resources and minimize the potential for future erosion.

With the forecasted hotter and drier weather today, there will be a strike team of engines coming into the Vantage Highway Fire that will be ready to respond to any new fire starts. Firefighting resources no longer needed on the Vantage Highway Fire have been reassigned to the Cow Canyon Fire or demobilized to rest and refurbish their equipment and be ready to assist other fires in the region.

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.