LOCAL NEWS
Three wildfires across Eastern Washington burn 22,000 acres
Aug 4, 2022, 5:00 PM | Updated: Aug 5, 2022, 1:36 pm
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
As of Thursday morning, three major wildfires burn around Eastern Washington: the Vantage Wildfire in Kittitas County, the Cow Canyon Fire in Yakima Valley, and the Williams Lake fire near Cheney, Wash.
The total area the fires are burning is just shy of 22,000 acres. The Vantage fire is burning the largest at 17,000 acres, the Williams Lake fire at 3,200 acres, and the Cow Canyon at 1,500 acres.
There are also two smaller, emerging fires: the Diamond Watch Fire, and the Lower Goose Fire.
ACTIVE WILDFIRES
August 4, 2022
2:00am#WaWILDFIRE #CowCanyonFire #DiamondWatchFire#LowerGooseFire#VantageHighwayFire #WilliamsLakeFire pic.twitter.com/o5PN0HEdjS— EASTERN WASHINGTON WILDFIRE & HAZARD (@EWFIREANDHAZARD) August 4, 2022
Firefighters have been brought from across the state to fight the Vantage fire, which has more than tripled in size since it was first reported Monday, August 1.
The main reason for the fire’s quick spread, according to the South East Washington Interagency All-Hazards team, is the dry condition over the past few weeks, which they are hoping will end Thursday with cooler weather and higher humidity.
Vantage Highway remains closed as six crews, 31 engines, and air support work to contain the fire, which is estimated to currently be 25% contained.
A cabin and three outbuildings have been lost to this fire, and all evacuation orders are now lifted.
Vantage wildfire rages in Eastern WA, burning 5000 acres
At the Williams Lake fire, the evacuation alert is currently at Level 3, warning some nearby residents on the lake to evacuate the area immediately
This fire, with smoke visible from Spokane, was first reported about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, and is currently 0% contained.
The American Red Cross Association has opened a shelter at Cheney High School to shelter and provide emergency services to residents who might need them.
#CowCanyonFire has burned approximately 1,000 acres. Heavy air attack used into the early evening. https://t.co/kSGWAjTkjU pic.twitter.com/fkwtuq1cyy
— Washington State DNR Wildfire (@waDNR_fire) August 4, 2022
The Cow Canyon fire, northwest of Selah, is currently at 1,500 acres and 0% contained.
Level 2 or “Be ready to go” evacuations, were given to about 50 homes or structures.
No major injuries of residents or firefighters have been reported.
