Firefighters Battling Three Major Fires in Our Region
Hundreds of local and state firefighters are battling flames of three major fires in our region Friday. The largest is the Pipeline Fire burning near the LT Murray Wildlife area. It's now at 7,100 acres with 20% containment. The fire is burning north toward Umtanum Ridge. Nearly 300 firefighters are battling that blaze. A level 2 evacuation notice remains in place.
The Left Hand Fire 4 miles east of Cliffdell is now at 400 acres with no word on containment. More than 300 firefighters are working that fire. Six homes in the area remain under a Level 3 "go now" order and hundreds of other homes in the area remain under a Level 2 "get set" notice meaning people need to be ready to leave at any time.
Forest Road 1702 is closed to all public traffic. While Highway 410 remains open, drivers are asked to avoid the fire area if possible to minimize unnecessary traffic.
The Kusshi Fire burning on the Yakima Reservation is now at 850 acres with 20% containment.
Because of the hot dry conditions the National Weather Service has issued a red flag fire warning for Yakima, the Kittitas Valley and Goldendale. That warning is in effect from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday.