MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Boylston Fire near Kittitas 80 percent contained

Jul 20, 2018, 8:17 AM | Updated: Jul 22, 2018, 8:23 am

The Boylston Fire that started Thursday afternoon grew to 70,000 acres by Friday morning. (Washington State Patrol) Crews evacuate the Wanapum recreational area Thursday night. (DNR) Traffic stops as the Boylston Fire crosses I-90 Thursday. (DNR)

Firefighters say the 70,000-acre burning near Kittitas is 80 percent contained.

RELATED: Explosion that destroyed mailboxes investigated as felony bombing

State Department of Natural Resources says it has  300 firefighters working on the Boylston Fire, and three engines and one bulldozer assisting in efforts.

“Good progress is being made on the fire, and crews are working to completely line it today,” DNR tweeted on Saturday.

Drivers were forced to detour off I-90 due to the Boylston Fire for most of the day Friday. Westbound lanes were opened early, but eastbound lanes remained closed until about 3pm when crews opened one piloted lane. The second lane opened late Friday night.

The wildfire that has burned approximately 70,000 acres in Washington state was approximately 15 percent contained by Friday evening.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

The Boylston Fire in Kittitas County was only 100 acres when it was spotted Thursday afternoon, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

RELATED: Smoky days ahead

Crews are fighting at least two other large fires nearby. Two miles south of Mattawa, the 1,000-acre Buckshot fire. The 29,000-acre L Road SW fire was approximately 40 percent contained by midday Friday.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

5 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

9 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

10 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

12 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

12 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

14 hours ago

Boylston Fire near Kittitas 80 percent contained