BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Social › Family Life - Stories, Pictures & Updates › Ellensburg WA forest Fire
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Ellensburg WA forest Fire

post #1 of 6
8/13/12 at 8:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:

ELLENSBURG, Washington — 

One home was burned and several other structured were threatened Monday afternoon by a wildfire that had burned 800 acres near Ellensburg, firefighters in Kittitas County said.

"Hwy 10 and Taylor road and lookout mountain residents should evacuate," Kittitas County Fire & Rescue's Richelle Risdon tweeted.

It isn't clear what caused the Taylor Bridge Fire, as officials have called it. It's burning near Milepost 90 on State Route 10, which runs parallel to Interstate 90 between Cle Elum and Ellensburg.

Risdon said Monday evening the fire was 12 miles long and had jumped State Route 97.  The Washington State Department of Transportation said it would close the highway between Milepost 147 and Milepost 149.

Helicopters are on scene and an air tanker was said to be headed toward the area. 

-http://www.kirotv.com

 
Quote:
CLE ELUM, Wash. - Here's the latest information from the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office regarding the fire between Cle Elum and Ellensburg: At 1:19 pm, a brush fire started at MP 90 on SR10, at Taylor Road and Hart Road, between Cle Elum and Thorp. Fire units are on scene and attempting to contain the fire, which is spreading rapidly east and the area is under evacuation. The first is estimated to be 2800 acre... s as of 5:45 pm. As of 5:00 pm, Sheriff's Office has advised of a Stage 3 evacuation – Current conditions present specific and immediate threat(s) to the life and safety of persons within this area. People in the affected areas are advised to evacuate immediately. Air assets are available to evacuate persons who are unable to leave via roads. As of 5:00 pm, the fire jumped SR97 just below Elk Horn Road, headed east towards Green Canyon and Reecer Creek. The Emergency Operations Center has ordered evacuations for the following areas: Bettas Valley, Swauk Valley, Teanaway, and homes on the westside of SR97 between SR97 and Swauk, SunEast, Upper Reecer Creek, Green Canyon, areas northeast of Ellensburg 
(specifically homes with no green/defendable space around them). Fire has been reported to be ½ mile to ¾ mile wide and has jumped Reecer Creek Road, above Smithson Road. An emergency shelter has been opened at the Cle Elum Centennial Senior Center, 719 East Third Street, Cle Elum,            509-674-7530      . An emergency animal shelter has been set up at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds. Residents downwind of the fire should expect smoky conditions and poor air quality. At 3:30 pm, the Board of County Commissioners declared a State of Emergency. The fire has been declared a State Mobilization fire. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated at the Sheriff's Office. SR97 is closed from Smithson Road to SR970; SR97 closed at SR10, local traffic only. SR970 is currently open. In response to the State Mobilization request, Type 2 Incident Management team will be on site at 0600 Tuesday to assume control of the fire. Updates will follow as available; EOC command requests media to not call KITTCOM for updates, as the Dispatch Center is inundated with phone calls.
 

 

 

 

Quote:

A fire near Cle Elum has burned at least 24 structures including homes and quickly grown to nearly 3,000 acres. Firefighters have zero containment of the blaze so far.

The fire near Highway 10 started about 1:15 p.m. and quickly spread at a rate of about 30 mph, jumping over Highway 97.

All nearby homes have been ordered to evacuate, said Richelle Risdon, spokeswoman for Kittitas County Fire District 7. Evacuation areas include Swauk Valley, Prairie Valley, Bettas Road Hidden Valley, and Ellensburg Ranches Road. Evacuees can go to the Cle Elum Centennial Center. Animals can be taken to the Kittitas County fairgrounds in Ellensburg.

Anyone questioning whether they need to evacuate should, Risdon said. Dry vegetation and high winds are fueling the fire on steep terrain, making it difficult for the more than 100 firefighters  on site to make headway against the wildfire, she said.

Central Washington University is coordinating with local authorities to house evacuees, according to the Daily Record.

Several air units — three helicopters and a fixed-wing airplane — have joined the effort, Mark Grassel with state Department of Natural Resources told the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Strike teams from King County, Yakima, Selah and other areas have been called in to fight the fire and protect homes on mountains nearby, according to Risdon’s Twitter account.

 

http://blogs.seattletimes.com

 

 

firephoto-600x398.jpg

aj3um45029ba400bc9c.preview-300.jpg

 

many people have had to release ther horses because they didn't have trailers to evacuate them and/or couldn't catch them. they are devistated!

 

http://emmaspolishbantams.webs.com/

 

 

My Chickens (Click to show)

RIR: LC(Lucky Carlos), Diego (hen), Ginger
EE: Fraggle and Fluffy
GSL: Coco
Mutt: Lil' Girl, Chance
Polish Bantam: Melody, Harmony, Symphony, Johann Sebastian Bawk
FBCM: Ceder, Maple
Olive Eggers: Willow Bonsai
 

 

 

Reply

 

http://emmaspolishbantams.webs.com/

 

 

My Chickens (Click to show)

RIR: LC(Lucky Carlos), Diego (hen), Ginger
EE: Fraggle and Fluffy
GSL: Coco
Mutt: Lil' Girl, Chance
Polish Bantam: Melody, Harmony, Symphony, Johann Sebastian Bawk
FBCM: Ceder, Maple
Olive Eggers: Willow Bonsai
 

 

 

Reply

Featured Stories on BackYard Chickens

The Basics Of Raising Chickens - Raising Chickens 101
Why Join BackYard Chickens?
Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens!!
post #2 of 6
8/14/12 at 5:01am
Thread Starter 

they are calling it a crisis situation it smells like smoke all over town

 

 

 

Quote:
CLE ELUM and ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Driving along HWY 97 it's almost impossible not to see the blanket of dark smoke covering the sky. Monday afternoon, Kittitas firefighters were called to a wildfire that started near HWY10 around Taylor and Lambert Road in Cle Elum.

At this time, they do not know how it started, but say the wind has only helped to spread over 13 miles in length. It jumped the highway and firefighters are now battling it on two fronts.

Fire officials tell us the fire has exceeded 10,000 acres and has already burned over 25 structures including some homes, and has forced them to evacuate dozens of others.

"Some of our neighbors have lost some of their home which is tragic news for us. We just hope that no one got hurt," said Cle Elum resident Barb Lisk.

Officials say that there are currently about 100 firemen here and now that they’re getting help from the state. They say they’re expecting close to 300 firefighters.

“They're working really hard. It's a really a crisis situation right now and we thought it’s dinner time perhaps someone ought to remember the firefighters and take them something to eat," said Lisk.

Officials say right now their biggest priority is evacuation to protect residents and their homes. The Emergency Operations Center has ordered evacuations for the following areas: Bettas Valley, Swauk Valley, Teanaway, and homes on the westside of SR97 between SR97 and Swauk, SunEast, Upper Reecer Creek, Green Canyon, areas northeast of Ellensburg (specifically homes with no green/defendable space around them).

At this point, there have been no reported injuries. Those who have been displaced can stay at the Centennial Senior Center on East Third Street in Cle Elum or Munson Residence Hall on the Central Washington University campus in Ellensburg. Those with animals are encouraged to bring them to the Kittitas County Fairgrounds.
 
A0OF5F3CEAAts0n.jpg:large
 

 

 

http://mynorthwest.com/174/686194/Wildfire-in-central-Wash-state-destroys-40-homes

 

http://emmaspolishbantams.webs.com/

 

 

My Chickens (Click to show)

RIR: LC(Lucky Carlos), Diego (hen), Ginger
EE: Fraggle and Fluffy
GSL: Coco
Mutt: Lil' Girl, Chance
Polish Bantam: Melody, Harmony, Symphony, Johann Sebastian Bawk
FBCM: Ceder, Maple
Olive Eggers: Willow Bonsai
 

 

 

Reply

 

http://emmaspolishbantams.webs.com/

 

 

My Chickens (Click to show)

RIR: LC(Lucky Carlos), Diego (hen), Ginger
EE: Fraggle and Fluffy
GSL: Coco
Mutt: Lil' Girl, Chance
Polish Bantam: Melody, Harmony, Symphony, Johann Sebastian Bawk
FBCM: Ceder, Maple
Olive Eggers: Willow Bonsai
 

 

 

Reply
post #3 of 6
8/14/12 at 5:04am
  • Imp
  • All things share the same breath- Chief Seattle

It's all over the news right now. Scary videos.

 

Stay safe

 

Imp

 

 

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit,

for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.

All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

 

       ― Chief Seattle

Reply

 

 

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit,

for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.

All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

 

       ― Chief Seattle

Reply
post #4 of 6
8/16/12 at 9:12am

Stay safe out there. Best wishes out of Lynnwood! 

A country girl in a city apartment. But not for long!
Reply
A country girl in a city apartment. But not for long!
Reply
post #5 of 6
8/16/12 at 9:23am

We were just up where the fire is about a week ago. Never thought it would happen there. Stay safe

Reply
Reply
post #6 of 6
8/16/12 at 11:29am
Thread Starter 

Thanks guys 4th day and 25% contained... better then nothing... 60+ homes gone animals running loose.... valley filled with smoke.... its quite crazy... almost doesnt feel real but unfortunately it is...

 

http://emmaspolishbantams.webs.com/

 

 

My Chickens (Click to show)

RIR: LC(Lucky Carlos), Diego (hen), Ginger
EE: Fraggle and Fluffy
GSL: Coco
Mutt: Lil' Girl, Chance
Polish Bantam: Melody, Harmony, Symphony, Johann Sebastian Bawk
FBCM: Ceder, Maple
Olive Eggers: Willow Bonsai
 

 

 

Reply

 

http://emmaspolishbantams.webs.com/

 

 

My Chickens (Click to show)

RIR: LC(Lucky Carlos), Diego (hen), Ginger
EE: Fraggle and Fluffy
GSL: Coco
Mutt: Lil' Girl, Chance
Polish Bantam: Melody, Harmony, Symphony, Johann Sebastian Bawk
FBCM: Ceder, Maple
Olive Eggers: Willow Bonsai
 

 

 

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

Featured Stories on BackYard Chickens

The Basics Of Raising Chickens - Raising Chickens 101
Why Join BackYard Chickens?
Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens!!
BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Social › Family Life - Stories, Pictures & Updates › Ellensburg WA forest Fire