WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES * U.S. FOREST SERVICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2012 16:15
DNR, USFS and Local Fire Districts Respond to Wildfires
Lightning and wind drive several fires across the state
ELLENSBURG– Saturday evening a massive lightning storm passed through Central Washington, mostly along the east slopes of the Cascades. This storm resulted in multiple fire starts across the region.
Fire managers from the Department of Natural Resources, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue, Kittitas Fire District #1, Kittitas Fire District #7, Yakima Fire District #2, Cle Elum Fire Department and the US Forest Service have been out all day Sunday assessing the situation and fighting the fires.
The agencies and districts are working together to assess and prioritize responses. We are deploying resources based on the priorities. When responding to wildfires ensuring safety of the firefighters and the public is the top priority.
Aerial observation flights have taken place to identify fire starts over the broad geographic area.
Approximately 70-80 new fire starts have been reported.
Curently four of the five Type 2 Washington Interagency Incident Management Teams (WIIMT) have been dispatched to manage fire suppression efforts on fires in different areas around the state. WIIMT #3 has been dispatched to Cascade Creek fire on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. . WIIMT #2 has been dispatched to Manila Creek #1 on the Colville Reservation. WIIMT #1 is being dispatched to the Wenatchee River Complex near Wenatchee, and WIIMT #5 is still at the Highway 141 fire in White Salmon.
No injuries have been reported at this time and one shed has been reported as burned.
Before heading to the woods contact the local Ranger District to see if any road or trail closures are in effect.
Media Contact: Janet Pearce, (360) 902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov
Robin DeMario, Public Information, 509-699-8476, rdemario@fs.fed.us