Vantage Fire: I-90 Opens at Noon

(Vantage, WA)  --

Fire officials and State Troopers  will re-open I-90 in both directions at noon today ... Fire crews have managed to contain a wildfire burning in central Washington that had threatened about 30 homes ... firefighters had fully contained the fire near Vantage and the Columbia River on Saturday. State resources will now withdraw from the area, leaving local crews to address any smaller hotspots.The fire started Wednesday night and quickly began burning through brush and grass in the area. The cause is under investigation.  Fire officials say the fire had scorched more than 11 square miles (28 square kilometers).

A wildfire has burned at least 1000 acres so far, closed I-90 and have forced immediate evacuations in the city of Vantage.  So far over 200 people have had to leave their homes.  Officials say the Ryegrass Coulee Fire broke out late last night.   I-90 is closed eastbound between just east of Ellensburg at Kittitas and westbound just east of the Vantage Bridge at State Route 26.  Long alternates are available via Stevens and Blewett Passes and on Interstate-82 through Yakima.

Washington State Trooper Brian Moore has this exclusive update for NewsRadio 560 KPQ