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.

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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.

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Boylston Fire near Kittitas 80 percent contained