State fire assistance has been mobilized under Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire in Kittitas County near Vantage, Washington. The fire, which started July 8 at 4:51 p.m., is estimated at 600 acres and growing, burning in grass, brush, and timber. It is threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage.
Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations are in effect. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization on July 8 at 7:45 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief William Rose of Kittitas County Fire District 4. The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to coordinate state assistance. Two wildland strike teams and air resources have been ordered to aid in containment efforts.
The cause of the Ryegrass Coulee Fire is under investigation. The Chelan Hills Fire, which started July 4 at 12:05 a.m. and is estimated at 400 acres, also received state fire mobilization under the same plan. The Washington State Patrol is seeking witnesses to an injury hit-and-run collision that occurred June 25 on State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE in Mill Creek, Washington.