FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2012 0730
DNR and Local Fire Districts Respond to Wildfires
Cooperation and Collaboration – Working Together to Fight Lightning and Wind Driven Fires in Kittitas & Yakima Counties (Kittitas Complex Fire)
ELLENSBURG – Aerial observation flights have identified approximately 39 fire starts over Kittitas and Yakima Counties. At this time 5 fires are contained and 6 fires are staffed. The largest fire is off of Whiel Ridge Road off of Teanaway Road in Upper Kittitas County. Fires managers will be locating and assessing more fires today in order to prioritize deployment of fire crews. We expect to find more fires as the fuels dry out and the winds continue.
There are approximately 125 fire personnel on the fires which include 2 dozers, 3 Engines, 2 Water Tenders, 5 Strike Teams and 1-20 person crew. Cooler weather with continued winds is expected through the end of the day. Low Humidity and gusty winds may make for unpredictable fire behavior.
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 were out all day Sunday assessing the situation and fighting the fires and are back out again today. The cooperation and collaboration between all these agencies has proven to be a real asset to the firefighting effort.
When responding to wildfires ensuring safety of the firefighters and the public is the top priority.
A Type 2 Washington Interagency Incident Management Team (WIIM) will be arriving later today to take over management of this fire.
Media Contact: Sara Foster, Public Information, (360) 915-3821
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