Evans Canyon Fire 40 percent contained as high winds expected in Kittitas, Yakima County
KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. - The Evans Canyon wildfire continues to spread through Kittitas and Yakima County as fire crews work to contain 40% of the fire, and increase from 20% Saturday.
As of Sunday morning, the wildfire has spread over 75,817 acres across central Washington, just 8 miles north of Naches, Washington. The fire has now been 40% contained after almost 1000 fire crew personnel worked to contain its spread since August 31st.
Northwest Incident Management Team says higher winds will also be a factor in contributing the spread of the wildfire, winds around 10-15mph NW, up to 25mph. Higher winds are expected through Tuesday, up to 35 mph.
Updated graphic from InciWeb on the Evans Canyon Fire in central Washington. (Photo: InciWeb)
According to InciWeb and Southeast Region Department of Natural Resources, parts of Kittitas County close to Umtanum remain a Level 3 evacuation zone, while parts of Kamia County closer to Wenas and Upper Naches Vallery remain at Level 2.
Since Saturday, fire crews made significant progress containing the most of the southern part of the fire around N. Wenas Rd.
Washington State Department of Ecology issued an Air Quality Alert for the Yakima region, starting Sunday through Tuesday morning due to the heavy smoke in the area caused by the Evans Canyon wildfire. Officials say air quality will reach unhealthy levels at times.
RELATED: Evans Canyon Fire 20 percent contained and nearly 74,000 acres, officials say
NWIMT officials say most of the damage overnight burned through unburned islands, brush and vegetation along the Yakima River. Crews will work throughout the weekend to monitor and put out remaining hotspots.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources is asking people in the area to avoid campfires and recreational burning as there remains a burn ban in effect for the area. Due to hot and dry conditions, burn bans will be in effect for much of central Washington as fire crews continue to extinguish the wildfire.
WA DNR issued an emergency closure of Wenas Road and part of the Oak Creek Road (Green Dot Road managment areas) in Yakima/Kittitas counties. Additional roads continued to be closed this weekend due to the wildfire are parts of N. Wenas Road, Sheep Company Road, Naches Wenas Road and Longmire Road. Hwy 821 (Yakima Canyon Hwy), BBQ Flats and Weneas recreation sites, the Yakima River and Yakima River Canyon campgrounds will also continue to remain closed Sunday.