Smoke Rising From Manastash Ridge Fire

Already stretched thin firefighters are battling a fire on Manastash Ridge in Kittitas County.

On Monday afternoon, crews responded to a smoke report on Manastash Ridge and today the un-named fire is reported to be about 25 acres near Shoestring Lake.

Cle Elum and Naches Ranger District fire managers have assigned two hand crews, smoke jumpers, rappellers, two helicopters and a bulldozer to the fire.

Firefighters spent the day getting access to the fire and establishing a safe anchor point. When conditions have allowed, crews have started to create direct and indirect fire line around the fire.

Smoke may be visible from the city of Cle Elum and along State Highway 410 on the Naches Ranger District.

Forest visitors in the Manastash drainage or in the Little Naches drainage may see increased fire vehicle traffic and are asked to please drive slowly in these areas.