VANTAGE, Wash. — Monday, August 8 update:
A wildfire burning near Vantage continues to burn one week after it first started. The Vantage Highway Fire has burned 32,284 acres as of Monday morning. The fire is 75% contained.
Fire officials report, "fire activity is minimal with very isolated islands continuing to consume. Potential for fire to escape is minimal."
More than 100 firefighting personnel continue to fight the fire. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office reports no current evacuations for the fire.
Original Story:
The wildfire near Vantage Highway in Kittitas County has burned 10,500 acres, according to the Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team. As of August 3 at 8 a.m., the fire is 18% contained.
One structure and three outbuildings have been lost in the blaze at this time.
The community of Vantage is now back under a level two evacuation notice.
A level 2 evacuation notice means "there is a fire in the area that may threaten your safety and the safety of your family," according to Kittitas County Emergency Management.
According to sources, aircraft will continue to support the fire with water and retardant along the northern boundary. Crews will employ a wide range of tactics, digging line, cold trailing and conduct small burnouts to secure the line. This is all in an effort to secure the western flank of the fire.
On Tuesday night around 7:30 p.m., a small slop-over ranging close to a tenth of an acre in size burned over to the south side of Vantage Highway, which is located along the southern boundary of the fire. More crews will be working in this area, meaning the highway will remain closed today.
A red flag warning will be in effect until 9 p.m. tonight due to low humidity, high winds and elevated temperatures. The agency says cooler temperatures are in store for Thursday.
A brush fire and strong winds sparked the wildfire at 12:05 p.m. on Monday.
At this time, Vantage Highway is closed from Park Creek Road through Recreation Drive except for local traffic. Power crews will continue to work diligently to replace damaged power poles along the highway, according to the agency. No other evacuation notices have been posted at this time.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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