Third Town May Be Forced to Evacuate

Wildfires may force a third Washington town to evacuate

Mile Marker 28 Fire – Central Washington

The Mile Marker 28 Fire has more than doubled in size, burning on more than 17,171 acres. Hundreds of homes have already been evacuated in the towns of Bickleton and Cleveland, and another township farther south may soon be evacuated.

EVACUATION LEVEL UPDATE Issued by  Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office

The following areas are being upgraded from a Level 1 to a Level 2: The residences north Box Springs Rd. within Township 6N, Range 19E, Sections 17-20 & 29-30. Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office would like to encourage residents in these areas to prepare to evacuate if their areas are upgraded to a Level 3. This is the time to pack your valuables, family heirlooms, clothing, and make the necessary preparations for your animals and to seek out viable lodging arrangements.

The fire is located 15 miles northeast of Goldendale, Washington along Highway 97 and is burning in grasslands, shrub brush, timber, and timber litter. The cause of the fire is unknown, authorities said.

• Date Started:  Wednesday July 24th, 2013 approx. 11:00 AM
• Location: 15 miles NE of Goldendale, Washington along State Highway 97
• Size: 17,171 acres (28.3 square miles)
• Total Personnel: 1,201
• Growth Potential: High
• Humidity: 24 percent

CLOSURES: Due to the fire situation, Highway 97 from Toppenish to Goldendale remains closed. Maintenance crews with WSDOT are currently removing large danger trees that have burned from the fire, and crews are also repairing portions of burned guardrail. Fire officials and WSDOT continue to evaluate the situation. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes on State Route 14, State Route 221, and Interstate 82.

Colockum Tarps Fire

The Colockum Tarps Fire started at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Saturday July 27 in the vicinity of the intersections of Colockum Road and Tarpiscan Road, south of Malaga, Chelan County, Washington. 

The fire spread quickly, burning dry grass and brush, exceeding 1000 acres by 11:00 a.m., destroying  several unoccupied structures and outbuildings .

The Chelan County Sheriff issued a Level 3 Evacuation notification to approximately 60 residences along Colockum, Tarpiscan, and Kingsbury Roads. Three primary residences and additional outbuildings burned.

By 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 28 the fire had exceeded 7,000 to 10,000 acres and was continuing to grow to the South and uphill to the West. Erratic, gusty winds from 10-15 mph, with gusts to 25 continued to affect the fire which has reached some timber.

25 Mile Fire

A fire in Chelan County has destroyed at least two buildings and forced the evacuation of about 60 homes and cabins along the Columbia River near Quincy, officials said. The fire has engulfed about 2,100 acres.

A third smaller fire has consumed about 100 acres, forcing the closure of Highway 28 west of Soap Lake, said a report.

Red Flag Warnings were in effect earlier in much of Eastern Washington including Goldendale, Tri-Cities, Yakima, Walla Walla, Wenatchee and Moses Lake.

Related Links

• Mass Evacuations as Wildfires Erupt in Wash. July 28, 2013
• Hundreds of Homes Evacuated as MT Wildfire Grows  July 27, 2013