Naches Ranger District Fire Now 5% Contained At 937 Acres

Better mapping has allowed officials working on the the Meeks Table fire to shrink its size  from 1001 to 937 acres. It's now burning about 30 miles west of Yakima on the Naches Ranger District and has prompted the temporary closure of roads adjacent to the fire for public safety. The fire is now 5% contained. A meeting for the community of Nile is set for 6:00 p.m. tonight at the Nile Community Center. A news release from the Naches Ranger District says...The Naches Ranger District has officially closed the Clover Springs Forest Road 1600 system and the Bethel Ridge 1500 system from the eastern forest boundary to Cash Prairie.  The closure is necessary to ensure public and firefighter safety by preventing vehicle accidents or entrapments from potential spread of uncontrolled fire.  Fire crews are using roads in this area to access the fire and these roads need to remain clear for safe traveling.  Firefighters are working directly along some roads and large fire equipment can make roads very congested.

“Our number one priority is public and firefighter safety,” said Brad Wagner, District Fuels Assistant Fire Management Officer.  “It is important for people to comply with our road closure to prevent anyone from being trapped in the fire’s path.” The roads will reopen when secured from the threat of wildfire and safe for the public to enter.

The fire was discovered on September 12 at approximately 3:08 PM and initially spread rapidly due to hot, dry and windy conditions.  The current estimated size is 937 acres with 5% containment.