Evans Canyon Fire Update

UPDATE: Wednesday, September 9th, 3:32 pm

The Evans Canyon Fire, located 8 miles north of Naches, is now reported to be 80% contained with almost 76,000 acres burned.

According to Northwest Incident Management Team 12, cooler temperatures and light winds throughout the area allowed crews to extend containment lines Tuesday after holding the line during Monday's extreme winds.

Firefighters are in mop-up and patrol status as of Wednesday. Some of the Evans Canyon Fire crews and resources have been reassigned to several fires that started Monday and Tuesday in Central Washington, with a further demobilization of resources Wednesday.

Management of the Evans Canyon Fire will be transferred back to a local DNR unit Wednesday at 6:00 pm.

The Umtanum Creek Footbridge that crosses the Yakima River remains closed. All other Evans Canyon Fire closures have been lifted.

UPDATE: Sunday, September 6th, 11:42 am

The Evans Canyon Fire, burning about 8 miles north of Naches, has grown to nearly 76,000 acres. Containment doubled over the last 24 hours to 40%.

Firefighters on the western and southwestern flank of the fire will continue to secure control lines that were previously burned.

According to the Northwest Incident Management Team 12, repair of fire suppression lines began Sunday in some parts of the fire. Fire crews have been preparing for several days for severe winds, and will hold and improve controls lines around the fire as the gusty conditions are expected to test established lines.

UPDATE: Saturday, September 5th, 11:25 am

The Evans Canyon Fire, burning about 8 miles north of Naches, has grown to nearly 74,000 acres.

Containment doubled over the last 24 hours to 20%. Crews continued burnout operations in the Yakima River canyon and the southwest side of the fire Friday, and the line on the north end of the fire held.

According to the Northwest Incident Management Team 12, crews will work on preventing the fire from spreading across the Yakima River and continue to hold and improve existing line Saturday.

Several roads are closed in the area, including State Route 821 and there are level 3 evacuation orders for hundreds of homes in the area.

The cause is undetermined, with more than 950 personnel fighting the blaze.

UPDATE: Thursday, September 3rd, 10:39 am

The Evans Canyon Fire grew to approximately 52,000 acres Wednesday with containment still listed at 0%.

A Type 2 team has been called in to handle the response as the fire is threatening structures, crops and many more areas near Wenas Lake in Yakima County. According to our news partner iFIBER ONE, the fire has destroyed at least five homes.

Crews will continue to work Thursday to mop up around structures and secure constructed control lines, as well as establish containment lines around the fire perimeter and conduct burnout operations.

There are nearly 450 people on scene trying to fight the fire, including resources from North Central Washington.

UPDATE: Wednesday, September 2nd, 11:53 am

The Evans Canyon Fire has expanded to almost 13,000 acres and is zero percent contained.

The blaze is burning actively about 8 miles north of Naches. Reports indicated that primary residences and outbuildings have been lost.

The fire is moving primarily southeast and northeast and is driven by winds that are expected to continue until late this evening. Crews will continue to provide protection for communities and structures Wednesday, and will work to establish control lines.

Level 3 evacuation orders are in place for all homes north of Wenas Lake, west of Longmire Lane and north of Naches Wenas Road in Selah, and north to the Kittitas County line. Level 3 evacuations also extend south to Wenas Creek. Level 2 evacuation orders are in place to the east of Sheep Company Road to the Yakima River, and in the Yakama Canyon.

Tuesday, September 1st, 5:35 pm

The Evans Canyon Fire moved into Kittitas County Tuesday. State fire mobilization had previously been approved to battle the blaze that has burned nearly 13,000 acres.

According to Yakima Valley Emergency Management, there are about 250 firefighters, four single-engine air tankers and two helicopters working to suppress the fire.

Level 3 "Go Now" evacuations have been expanded to all homes west of Longmire Lane and north of Naches Wenas Road.

The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office announced Level 1 and 2 evacuations for the Umptanum and Durr Road areas.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team is being called in to take control of the response.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

There is no containment as of Wednesday morning.