Cle Elum (WA) Fire Gains Territory, Now Over 800 Acres

A wildfire burning in the Cle Elum area has burned at least one home, officials with Kittitas County Fire District 7 say.

The Department of Natural Resources says the fire has grown to 800 acres is 12 miles long.

 

Richelle Risdon with Kittitas County Fire District 7 said via Twitter that the fire has jumped over Highway 97 and tree torching can be seen.Strike teams from Yakima, Selah and other areas were headed to the area to assist with fire/structure protection.Risdon said people in the following areas have been asked to evacuate: Swauk Valley/Prairie, Bettas Road, Hidden Valley and Ellensburg ranches. Those who have been evacuated can go to the Cle Elum Centennial Center.

 

Animals can be taken to the Kittitas County Fairgrounds in EllensburgThe Department of Transportation closed U.S. 97 from SR 10 to Lauderdale Junction.The fire is burning near a chimpanzee sanctuary.Diana Goodrich of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest said the fire has burned some of the sanctuary property but  the chimps are OK and firefighters are protecting the chimp building.

 

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