One of our favorite places to travel to, is small-town feel Ellensburg located in the eastern portion of the State where we often hang out in a nearby location to watch to see if WA DNR’s rotors are flying or outside their quarters to be captured in time.
Credit: City of Ellensburg
However, today, we are home safe and away from all of the chaotic snow mountainous activities. We would love to go up there but since passes are somewhat still closed – we will just wait until the coast is clear.
Here is what is happening in Ellensburg, located in Kittitas County, Washington.
SNOW OPERATIONS
The City is currently clearing massive amounts of unprecedented piles of snow berms, roadways, and from sidewalks. Graders, front-end loaders, and other pieces of equipment have been seen around town. Employees are working around the clock to clear snow as quickly as possible.
Crews will finish snow removal operations early next week.
Credit: City of Ellensburg
The City would like to remind drivers:
“If a road looks like it’s not accessible or hasn’t been plowed yet, avoid driving on it if possible. The large snow berms in the middle of the streets will eventually get picked up. Emergency services are still online. Please call 911 for emergencies. Stay off the roads if you can.” – City of Ellensburg
TRANSIT OPERATIONS
On Friday, January 7th, the Central Transit (bus service) had suspended all services. The City and HopeSource were working together to clear all bus stops and shelters cleared of snow, so the service could resume on Saturday.
Credit: CWU Emergency Management
LOCAL ECONOMY STUCK
Truck drivers trying to move freight have found themselves stuck in Ellensburg due to snow and road closures.
They have been stuck in the last three to five days and will get their opportunity at moving once again as Snoqualmie Pass has been reopened this evening at 1700 hours. They are considered priority traffic to help get the economy moving again.
DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Was your home damaged by snow and ice? Check out FEMA’s Disaster Assistance by either 1) going online, 2) go to the FEMA app or 3) call FEMA for assistance. Here is a PSA flyer for further assistance.
A wildfire called the THORP PRAIRIE HILL FIRE is burning in the northwest community of Thorp (Kittitas County), Washington. This time the fire ignited from an unknown on Sunday, July 25, 2021.
RESOURCES
Resources sent to this wildfire incident are ALPINE-80 ALPINE-81 E-331 E-4201 E-4202 E-4204 E-4205 H-339 KIT-25 KIT-27 (IC) original resources.
Resources assigned currently are ALPINE-80 ALPINE-81 CREW-83 E-331 E-4201 E-4202 E-4204 E-4205 H-339 KIT-25 KIT-27. (Updated resource list).
Incident Cooperators: WA DNR, KCFD1, Local additional agencies.
CURRENT STATUS
Fire is not impacted I-90 through the area, says the Washington State Patrol.
Fire is estimated at 57 acres of grass and shrub, with an unknown containment status. Crews are working on constructing line around the fire.
A wildfire called the THORP PRAIRIE HILL FIRE is burning in the northwest community of Thorp (Kittitas County), Washington. This time the fire ignited from an unknown on Sunday, July 25, 2021.
FIRE HISTORY IN THIS IMPACTED AREA
Today’s fire is just one of many that have hit this area. Here is a compiled list of previous incidents.
July 23, 2021
THORP PRAIRIE CANAL FIRE. Call dispatched 1432 hours PT. Contained 1751 hours. Controlled 2134 hours. Brush fire on median and shoulders of I-90. EB I-90 shut down at MP 77. 5 miles west of Cle Elum. WB I-90 at MP 84 also closed. 27.7 acres. Incident Cooperators: KCFD1, KVFR, WA DNR.
2nd fire breaks out on I-90 near exit 93. 7 miles east of Cle Elum.
June 26, 2021
HORLICK ROAD FIRE. 3rd alarm brush fire. Located in Sunlight Waters / Thorp areas. Level 3 evacuations were ordered on June 26, 2021 then lowered back down to Level 1. Cause of the fire is unknown. All structures were saved by firefighters. Incident Cooperators: Kittitas County Fire District 1, KVFR, KCFD7, WA DNR, USFS, Kittitas County SO.
June 17, 2021
Credit — KCFD1
Brush Fire. Brush fire along I-90, mile post 95. Near Thorp Prairie Road. Call dispatched 1259 hours. Out. 0.5 acres. Incident Cooperators: KCFD1, WA DNR.
May 9, 2021
Wildfire. South of Cle Elum. Incident Cooperators; KCFD1, KCFD7, WA DNR, Roslyn FD.
Credit: KCFD1
September 2, 2020
EVANS CANYON FIRE. 12,900 acres with a 0% containment is notably covered on Social Media. Fire started in Yakima County and quickly moved into Kittitas County onto Thorp Highway. Incident Cooperators: KCFD1, Yakima Valley VFD, Ellensburg FD, Selah Fire, Easton FD (KCFD3), KCFD7 and Yakima County FD. Both Level 2 and 1 evacuations were ordered by the Kittitas County SO on September 1, 2020.
Credit — KCFD1
August 5, 2020
Fire located outside of Cle Elum. 2 acres. Incident cooperators: KCFD7, FD1, FD3, Roslyn FD, WA DNR and Cle Elum FD.
Credit — KCFD1
June 28, 2020
Brush fire on North Thorp Highway in Thorp. Dispatched time around 1330 hours PT.
Credit — KCFD1
July 20, 2019 – July 24, 2019
PIPELINE FIRE. Brush Fire. WB I-90, exit 101 at Thorp Road. 9 miles west of Ellensburg, near the Gladmar Road (Thorp Fruit stand). Gibson and Sons recognized for helping fire suppression efforts by running their excavator out to the fire line to spread out the piles that were causing fire objective challenges. Cause: unknown but large piles of wood and debris caught fire. Fire put out on July 23, 2021 and moved to Patrol status. Incident Cooperators: KCFD1, KVFR, KCFD7, WA DNR, WSP and Roslyn FD.
Credit – KCFD1
June 11, 2019
Brush Fire on Dudley Road in Thorp. Fire quickly knocked down, lined and mopped up. .25 acres burned.
Credit — KCFD1
August 23, 2018
Grass fire. WB I-90 at mile marker 104.
June 28, 2017
Brush Fire. EB I-90, mile post 94. 8 miles east of Cle Elum. Thorp Road is closed.
Credit – WSP PIO Trooper John Bryant. June 28, 2017 Fire.
September 6, 2016
HAYWARD FIRE. Northwest of Thorp. 50 acres. Fire behavior is active with wind-driven runs and a rate of spread to grass fuels.
July 4, 2016
Brush Fire. 2 miles east of Thorp off of I-90. small fire in the median. Dispatched at 2345 hours PT.
August 25, 2013
MANASTASH RIDGE FIRE. Located in Thorp, Washington.
August 24, 2012
Fire consumes fuels around wind turbines just outside of Thorp. No damage done to mammoth turbines.
August 15, 2012
A wildfire in Cle Elum and Thorp has burned more than 40-square miles.
August 13, 2012
Thorp Fire. Limited info. Smoke and Air Quality broadcasts made.
RESOURCES
Resources sent to this wildfire incident are ALPINE-80 ALPINE-81 E-331 E-4201 E-4202 E-4204 E-4205 H-339 KIT-25 KIT-27 (IC).
Incident Cooperators: WA DNR, KCFD1, Local additional agencies.
The ANDRUS FIRE has been 100% contained as of this morning with some resources and the NE WA IMT Team 2 turning the incident back over to Unified Command to the Spokane County Fire District 3 and the WA DNR Fire agencies.
Credit: WA DNR
About 232 acres were destroyed.
All evacuation orders were lifted and residents were permitted to repopulate back to their homes. There were no structures lost or injuries reported to civilians or firefighters.
The fire started approximately July 5th at around 1130 hours PT, about three miles northeast of Cheney, Washington. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation.
Incident Cooperators include:
Spokane Fire Districts 3, 4, 8, 9, 10
Airway Heights FD
Cheney FD
Spokane City FD
Spokane Valley FD
Lincoln Co FD
WA DNR Fire
State Mobe resources
One-hundred-fifty fire personnel are still on-scene and attached to this incident.
Local fire units were dispatched through KITTCOM at 1202 hours to a wildfire burning on Koffman Road, less than 10 miles east of Ellensburg (Kittitas County), Washington State.
The incident was quickly upgraded to a four-alarm fire due to structures being threatened, high temps, low relative humidity and winds.
For almost four hours, both ground crews aided by aircraft dropping water and retardant from the air. Additionally, they were helped with private landowners who have dozers and fire department equipment to further stop the forward progression of the fire.
During the course of the incident, they were faced with hot temps, high winds, low relative humidity and dangerous conditions.
LEVEL 3 evacuations were issued for residents in the Park Creek Road to Clerf Road areas. This means GO NOW!
LEVEL 2 evacuations were issued for residents in the Park Creek Road to Koffman Road. This means GET READY!
AA-10F AHTANUM E-4201 E-4202 E-4204 E-4205 H-339 H-344 KIT-25 KIT-26 KIT-27 KIT-60. (1303 PT) WA DNR Copters 339 and 344, with Yakima FD units.
The fire burned about 425 acres and is currently 90% lined. Firefighters will continue to staff and provide point protection. Additionally, two WA DNR copters 339 and 344 were on-scene but have now been released (1625) with already returned aircraft to their bases.
A RED FLAG WARNING has been issued for Monday, June, 28th from 0900 hours to 2000 hours PT. Expected easterly winds to 10-20 mph with gusts to 25 mph, relative humidity to 10-15% and high temps.
One primary home was lost along with six outbuildings. 425 acres were scorched.
Two Fire Investigators were requested to the scene. One, was responding right away and while the other will be arriving around 2000 hours PT.
The preliminary cause for this wildfire is currently unknown, as well as if and how many injuries were suffered from the fire.
Another update will be posted once cause is received or significant fire active occurs.
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This is the Sit Rep for both Washington and Oregon State wildfires in the northwest.
WASHINGTON
There were 29 fires for a total of 100 acres yesterday reported by Fire Managers. 18 were in Oregon for a total of 54 acres and 11 in Washington with a total of 46 acres. – NWCC
54 Road Fire
The 54 ROAD FIRE is located about 22.2 miles north-northeast of Vancouver, Washington n the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. USFS is the lead agency. Dispatch Center is the Columbia Cascade Comm Center. Unknown acres. ##
I84 MM 78 Fire
This wildfire is about 55.9 miles east of Camas that is being handled by ODF’s The Dalles Unit. We are listing it under the Washington side because it is fairly close to our border. 6.8 acres have been burned. Dispatch Center: Columbia Cascade Comm Center in Vancouver, WA. ##
Wildwood Road Fire
This fire started on Saturday evening around 2000 hours PT. It is located about 50.5 miles north-northwest of Vancouver, Washington. Unknown acres. Brand new fire incident. Dispatch Center: WA DNR Pacific Cascades Dispatch Center. ##
Skidmore Fire
The SKIDMORE FIRE is located about 56.2 miles north-northwest of Spokane. This is a mutual aid deployment by the WA DNR fire agency. 0.3 acres burned. ##
Rosario Road Fire
The ROSARIO ROAD FIRE is showing to be located about 47.3 milesnorth-northwest of Seattle. About 0.1 acres. Limited information. ##
Jackknife Fire
WA DNR units AA4TS/653 C 101 CH 5 DNR 33 E 562 E Zone 10 FB 201 FB 202 H 341 HB 170CB NC 25 NC 40+Crew NC 7303 NC 7304 NC 7305 were dispatched this early afternoon at 1322 hours PT to Jackknife and Madison Creek. Located about 74.1 miles north-northwest of Spokane and 4.8 miles west-northwest of Olympia. The fire is said to be about 50% lined. 46.3 miles have been scorched. Dispatch Center: WA DNR – Enumclaw, WA. ##
Two Pole Fire
Located on Leclerc Road North in Pend Oreille County. Dispatch time 1525 hours PT. 0.1 acres of grass and shrub. Contained 1651 hours. Controlled at 1721 hours. ##
Temple Fire
WA DNR units were dispatched on June 25th at 2106 hours to Norman Road in Spokane County. 0.1 acres of slash. Contained and brought under control at 0830 hours. ##
Spring Canyon Fire
WA DNR units were dispatched on June 25, 2021, at 1630 hours to Spring Canyon in Lincoln County, where 11.6 acres of grass and shrub were scorched. Crews reached containment at 1100 hours on June 26th and under control at 1700 hours. The fire is in patrol status. ##
Sportsmans Fire
Units from WA DNR and local fire agencies E-4301 E-4302 E-4304 YAK-26 were dispatched at 1811 hours PT to Yakima (Yakima County)’s Sportsman State Park. There has been 1.5 acres of brush, timber and slash consumed. This is an open and active incident. ##
Eltopia West Fire
Firefighters were dispatched at 1543 hours PT on Saturday to Eltopia in Franklin County and stopped the forward progression of the fire and bringing it under control at 1600 hours PT the first initial response. That wildfire name was the ELTOPIA FIRE.
A second response to the same area is named the ELTOPIA WEST FIRE, which prompted resources BATT-6101 and CREW-6201 to be dispatched today at 1647 hours PT. There has been five acres of the same fire fuels now destroyed. This scene is still open and active. ##
Three Creeks Fire
Fire assets and resources were dispatched to the THREE CREEKS FIRE at 1341 hours PT in Yakima County. 0.1 acre of logs were burned. IC Ray arrived on-scene at 1442 hours PT. The fire was contained and controlled at 1615 hours PT. ##
Talmage Road Fire
Talmage Road Fire was one of many of wildfires that broke out in Kittitas County this morning and at the same time as the HORLICK ROAD FIRE. WA DNR resources were dispatched at 1158 hours to the Milwaukee Road Corridor. IC McFarland assumed Command at 1910 hours. The fire was contained shortly afterwards at 1945 hours. E-4103 was dispatched to the scene. ##
Horlick Road Fire
WA DNR resources were dispatched along with other local resources to Thorp Prairie at 1038 hours today for a wildfire. It is located about 12.9 miles northwest of Ellensburg, Washington. Due to multiple fires burning in the same County, it was quickly escalated from a first alarm brush fire to a third alarm wildfire, prompting evacuations of the Sunlight Water area then releasing the orders, allowing residents to return to their homes. IC Kit26 assumed Command at 1200 hours PT. 103 acres of grass were scorched. Contained at 1441 hours PT. Current #wawx is 78*F temps, 99% RH and winds are 10 mph. ##
Horlick Road Fire. PC: Kittitas County Sheriff
Williams Lake Fire
WA DNR resources were on-scene at 1554 hours on Saturday, June 26, 2021 to the WILLIAMS LAKE FIRE, originally a smoke check. This incident is located 66.3 miles NNW of Spokane, Washington. Unknown size. Dispatch Center: NE WA Interagency Comm Center in Colville, Washington. Open incident. ##
White Pine
The WHITE PINE FIRE brought fire resources out to the White Pine area in Chelan County. WA DNR resources were deployed on Friday night at 2220 hours PT. 0.1 acres were destroyed. IC Gale assumed command of the incident at an unknown time. Crews were successful in bringing the fire under control and contained at 1555 hours on Saturday, June 26, 2021. ##
Old McKenna Fire
WA DNR resources were dispatched at 1213 hours PT to Yelm for a wildfire. Crews arrived to assist local Fire agencies to those in the City of Yelm. About 0.1 acres of brush and a fir tree were scorched. It was brought under control and contained at 1415 hours PT. The fire is in a patrol status. ##
Mill Creek Fire
The MILL CREEK FIRE is located in Spillman (Mason County), where fire resources dispatched to at 1543 hours PT. Less than an acre (0.10) of grass and brush were burned. The fire is in patrol status. ##
354th Street Fire
WA DNR assets and resources were dispatched today at 1653 hours PT as mutual aid for a wildfire burning in Eatonville and 11.8 miles southeast of Tacoma, Washington. There was an unknown number of land/brush/grass burned. This incident is in a patrol status. ##
OREGON
Record heat is expected over the Pacific Northwest this weekend and well into next week as a strong high pressure ridge amplifies over the region.
Winds will decrease for most areas on Saturday but will pick up from the east or northeast for the Cascades on Sunday and Monday as a thermal trough deepens on the west side.
Poor overnight humidity recovery is likely over higher elevations for the next four or five nights. Some lightning is possible next week.– NWS
Lower Deck Fire
The LOWER DECK FIRE is located in the Warm Springs area, where another fire has been burning. It is under command of an ICT, Type 4 team. The cause for this fire is unknown. There has been 491 acres of grass and brush consumed. A 50% containment status has been reached. Minimal fire behavior is minimal. This was formerly the MILL MIDDLE DECK FIRE. Open incident. ##
S-503 Fire
The S-503 FIRE started on June 18, 2021. Command: NW IMT, Team 8’s IC: Kevin Stok as of 0900 hours on June 26, 2021. This fire is located about five miles southwest of Pine Grove. Its cause is unknown. Fire has burned up 6,679 acres of timber. There is a 70% containment status. Fire behavior is moderate with isolated torching, creeping and short-range spotting. Evacuation notices are in effect. Structures and powerlines are under threat. There are 468 total personnel assigned to this incident. Transfer of command will occur on Monday, June 28th to a Type 3 IMT. ##
S-503 Fire. PC: Warm Springs Agency-BIA
Cutoff Fire
The CUTOFF FIRE is located about six miles north of Bonanza, Oregon, which started on June 19, 2021 from an unknown cause that is under investigation. There has been 1,288 acres of burned timber, brush and short grass, but crews have successfully reached an 93% containment status. There are still 208 total personnel assigned to this incident. Evacuation notices have been lifted. ##
Cutoff Fire – PC: ODF
New Fire (Unnamed)
ODF fire assets and resources have been dispatched via the John Day Interagency Dispatch Center to an unknown location at 2120 hours PT. This is a really new incident. ##
Ridge Top Fire
State fire assets and resources were dispatched today at 1429 hours to a location of 7.3 miles northwest of Mount Vernon. There has been 1 acres of grass, timber and juniper scorched. Resources are currently on-scene. This is an open and active incident. ##
Calapooya Fire
The CALAPOOYA FIRE is located about 9.2 miles northeast of Lemolo Lake. Resources were dispatched today at 1302 hours PT. The fire was contained to 0.1 acre at 1618 hours PT. ##
Split Rock Fire
The SPLIT ROCK FIRE is located in Ashland’s Watershed sending state resources to the area at 1618 hours this afternoon. There has been 0.1 acres burned. ##
Mutual Aid 529
Mutual Aid was deployed through the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at 1442 PT this afternoon. The fire incident is located about two miles northwest of Pendleton, Oregon near the airport. This is a human-caused wildfire resulting in 300 acres of weeds destroyed in a matter of hours. Open incident. ##
Peep Fire
The PEEP FIRE ignited on Friday, June 25, 2021, prompting movement of State fire assets to be deployed to the fire located in the Moonshine Creek area, which is about 13 miles southeast of Ukiah, Oregon. This was lightning-caused. About 0.1 acres of timber reprod was burned. Fire was contained today at 1813 hours . ##
Cooks Fire
At 1727 hours PT, OR DOF resources were dispatched via the Lakeview Interagency Dispatch Center to the COOKS FIRE. About five acres has been burned. In patrol status. ##
Drews Fire
Another wildfire broke out this afternoon, prompting more wildland fire resources to be depl;oyed to the DREWS FIRE. The fire has burned about 37.5 acres. Open incident. ##
WASHINGTON STATE — The State has been hit hard by wildfires and smoke checks as seen through the eyes of the WildCAD incident log that keeps track of WA DNR deployments. Here is a recap for Saturday, June 5th.
ONGOING FIRES
JOSEPH CANYON FIRE. Started on June 4th in Oregon has now crossed over State lines and is burning in Washington. Check out our separate post on this fire, just released today.
NORTHEAST WASHINGTON INTERAGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
1744 PT — SHADY SLOPE FIRE. Shady Slope Road in Spokane County. 0.1 acre of timber, understory. In patrol status.
1700 PT — HYYTAINEN FIRE. Hyytainen Road. Stevens County. 0.1 acre of timber. Contained and controlled at 1942 hours PT.
1634 PT — MILE MARKER 19 FIRE. Stonelodge. Stevens County. 1 acre of timber, understory. NC41+Crew, NC42+Crew, NC43+Crew, NC44+Crew and NC7303 dispatched. Contained at 2000 hours and controlled at 2230 hours PT.
1559 PT — RAMBO FIRE. Janes Lane. Spokane County. 55 acres of timber, understory. AR7405 and NC7306 dispatched. 100% lined at 2033 hours. Crews staffing fire overnight. — See our separate post on this wildfire —
Credit: SCFD10 – Rambo Fire
1542 PT — TWO HORSE STRIKE FIRE. 2nd Horse Way. Okanogan County. 0.1 acre. Grass and timber. Contained at 1630 hours. Contained at 1800 hours PT.
1502 PT — BOOGS PIT FIRE. Sherman Road. Stevens County. 0.3 acres of slash, blowdown. Contained 1700 hours PT. Controlled 1940 hours PT.
1424 PT — RIDGE STRIKE FIRE. Ridgeback Way in Okanogan County. 0.1 acre. Grass, shrub and timber litter. Contained 1710 hours. Controlled 1830 hours. In Patrol status.
1311 PT — OSBORN FIRE. Osborn Bay in Grant County. C6201, DIV6101, DIV6102, E6696, LOA15, Patro604 dispatched and are staffing the fire overnight. 50 acres.
GRANT COUNTY BURN BAN IS IN EFFECT
Credit: GCFD13
Credit: GCFD13
1036 PT — DEER VALLEY FIRE. Deer Valley Road. Pend Oreille County. 0.1 grass and shrub. Contained at 1120 hours. Controlled at 1130 hours PT.
CENTRAL WASHINGTON INTERAGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
SPOKANE COUNTY — A wildfire is burning off of South Helena Street in the County named as the HELENA FIRE that started on Tuesday, June 1st.
State fire assets and resources were dispatched via the WA-NEC Dispatch Center on Tuesday at 1456 hours PT which include AR25, AR7402 and AR7406. The fire was quickly contained at 1630 hours, lined at 1724 hours and controlled at 1800 hours PT.
Fire crews stopped the forward progression and kept the fire spread rather small and holding it at a 0.3 acre.
Fuels included timber and understory.
Cause is unknown.
No reports of injuries to firefighters or citizens is known at this time.
WASHINGTON — A small brush fire ignited on Sunday, May 30th around 1500 hours PT. The fire is named the ROAD 20 FIRE for its location on Road 20 NW in Douglas County.
CAUSE — Unknown and under investigated by the Bureau of Land Management, also known as BLM.
RESOURCES — BLM, Douglas County Fire Districts 1,2, 4 and 5, Chelan County Fire District 7, WA DNR along two Rotors.
Credit — DCFD5
FIRE STATUS — Some resources have been released. On Monday, May 31st, additional BLM and DCFD5 crews will be on-scene to assist with full containment and mop-up operations. No movement on the fire is expected tonight. (Per DCFD5)
WA DNR is stating the fire has been contained as of 2030 PT.
EVACUATIONS — None.
THREATENED — No structures, infrastructure or assets are under threat.
MAPPING —
Credit — DCFD5
ALERTS — Douglas County has released of a new mobile app, “MyAlerts”, powered by AlertSense, the county’s new emergency alerting service. Residents and visitors can now receive life-saving emergency alerts and advanced warning of severe weather directly on their Android or Apple iOS phone or table. You can download the free MyAlerts app today from Google Play myAlerts – Apps on Google Play or the App Store AlertSense My Alerts on the App Store (apple.com)
(c) 2021 NW Fire Blog – Update 2 — 5/30/2021 2300 Hours PT
NW Fire Blog 
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