Norse Peak Fire Grows As Thick Smoke Fills The Yakima Valley

It's a smokey day in the Yakima Valley as firefighters continue the battle against area fires. The Norse Peak Fire has grown to 15,528 acres and fire officials say it continues grow Today to the north, northwest, and to the south where it moved down towards Highway 410 along Gold Hill to the west and Fifes Peak to the east. For the protection of the public fire officials have closed Forest Road 1900 (aka: “Road 19” and “Little Naches”). Crow Creek Campground is closed. The area to the south and west of Road 19 also remains closed. Law enforcement is enforcing the closure. And they say because of  Thursday night’s fire behavior, the highway will not be open Today. Fire managers and Washington Department of Transportation officials continue to evaluate Highway 410. Officials from the Department of Natural Resources say the extreme hot and dry conditions forecast for this weekend means there's a significant potential for the fire to continue its spread, especially Monday and Tuesday.