Newell Road Fire near Goldendale 100% contained, burned 60,551 acres
Newell Road Fire burns 30,000 acres in Klickitat County, 0% contained
Officials say the Newell Road Fire, burning 17 miles east of Goldendale, exploded to 30,000 acres in size with 0% containment Friday night. Level 2 ‘get set’ and Level 3 ‘go now’ evacuation levels have been set for multiple areas.
KLICKITAT COUNTY, Wash. - Fire crews have finally contained the Newell Road Fire, which burned more than 60,000 acres about 17 miles east of Goldendale.
Level 2 ‘get set’ and Level 3 ‘go now’ evacuation levels had been set for multiple areas, but nearly all have been rescinded.
Prineville Hotshots constructing handline along the Newell Road Fires edge. (Newell Road Fire official Facebook page)
The Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management says the wildfire, burning near the town of Bickleton, has spread in multiple directions, and is threatening homes, farms, livestock, solar and wind farms.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Monday authorized federal funds to support firefighting costs. FEMA funds are available to pay 75% of the state's firefighting costs under a grant to manage, mitigate and control fires. An additional $1.2 million is also available to Washington State through a post-fire federal grant.
(Klickitat County Emergency Management)
The fire started at around 3:30 p.m. on July 21, and was reportedly at 6,000 acres. 19 hours later, the fire grew an additional 24,000 acres. Numerous structures have been lost. A State of Emergency was declared just before 10 p.m. Friday night by the Klickitat County Commissioner Chair.
Level 3 ‘go now’ evacuations were issued for the Cleveland-Bickleton area, as well as the Southern Rock Creek area.
Level 2 ‘get set’ evacuations were in place from Bill Anderson Rd to Box Canyon Rd; east of Matsen to east of Alder Creek and south to Hale.
Level 1 ‘get ready’ evacuations were in effect from the Columbia River to Box Canyon, all the way west to Old Mountain; west of Sand Ridge to County Line and south to Hale.
A shelter has been set up at the Goldendale Middle School at 520 E Collins in Goldendale.
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