FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2012 - 3:00 am
Little Park Creek Fire: DNR and Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue Respond to Wildfire Northeast of Ellensburg
Level 1 Evacuation Alerts in place
ELLENSBURG – Around midnight, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue 2 and the Department of Natural Resources were notified of a wildfire northeast of Ellensburg, in the Parke Creek drainage. Numerous fire district brush engines and wildland fire staff from DNR are responding and assessing the safest way to stop the spread of the rapidly growing fire. Dozers are en route to build containment lines, and an investigator has been ordered to determine the cause.
As a precaution, Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office is notifying residents of the fire danger. Two residences beyond the end of the county road portion of Parke Creek have been notified that they are under a LEVEL 2 evacuation, and should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice due to the hazard in the area. Secret Canyon has a LEVEL 1 evacuation alert for 15 homes. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, and monitor local media outlets for information. Evacuations for Secret Canyon are voluntary at this time. However, any residents with special needs (such as a susceptibility to breathing problems or those with animals/pets) should take note and begin making arrangements to evacuate. For wildfires, smoke can often cause the most problems for humans and animals.
Responders estimate the fire size to be 500 acres. The acreage estimate will be refined in the morning, once they are able to identify landmarks more clearly in the daylight. The fire growth is being pushed by winds from the northeast.
When responding to wildfires at any hour, ensuring the safety of the firefighters and the public is the top priority. Residents who live in areas where they may have to evacuate quickly can get tips on preparing for evacuation at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/wildfire/ .
Firefighters count on homeowners to ensure the areas directly around their structures are cleared of brush, trees, and other flammable material for at least 30 feet in all directions, and kept green if possible. For complete tips on preparing homes to survive when a fire passes, see www.firewise.org.
Media Contact will be available Thursday morning after 7 am for updated information.
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