WHITE SWAN, Wash. — Fire officials said 16 homes were lost in a wildfire burning near White Swan in central Washington.
The Slide Ranch Fire, which has been burning since June 22 and is also called the Mission Road Fire, grew to 3,054 acres as of Tuesday, according to the Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team. It is 65% contained.
No civilian casualties were reported.
The Yakima County Fire District No. 5 previously said between 13 and 17 structures were lost.
Statewide fire resources were mobilized over the weekend to fight the fire. The Yakima County Fire District said state and federal resources began arriving late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also authorized federal funds to aid firefighting costs after a FEMA regional administrator determined the fire threatened to cause destruction that would constitute a major disaster.
The fire is being wind driven, the incident management team said. Strong winds were measured Sunday on the east side of the Cascades, with a 48 mph gust measured near Ellensburg, creating challenges for firefighting efforts.
All fire-related watches and warnings from the National Weather Service have expired.
Other firefighting challenges include steep terrain, canyons and draws near the ridge.
As of Saturday, the fire was burning grass, brush and heavy timber, according to the Washington State Emergency Management Division.
Evacuation notices were downgraded Monday from Level 2 to Level 1 for residents near White Swan and Harrah, Wash. in Yakima County. That means wildfire danger is in the area and people should be ready to evacuate.
An emergency evacuation center was set up at Harrah Elementary School at 7640 Branch Road in Harrah, according to the American Red Cross.
Multiple power poles are down in the area and residents should be cautious, according to the fire district.
Donations to families impacted by the wildfire can be made at the YN Department of Revenue, 401 Ford Road, Room 205, in Toppenish, or at any KeyBank location. Donations should be payable to White Swan Donation, according to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.