UPDATE AT 4:20 P.M.: Level 3 evacuation alert issued for Cougar Creek area
UPDATE at 4:20 p.m.
A Level 3 evacuation alert was just issued for the Cougar Creek area to State Route 129. The fire has jumped Cougar Creek. Asotin County issued the evacuation notice in an alert that says “go now,” and identifies Level 3 as an extreme alert.
Level 2, “be set” evacuations are in place for south of the Grande Ronde River and north of the forest boundary between the State Route 129 and Wenatchee Creek.
Level 1, “be ready” evacuations have been issued from the intersection of Mill Road and State Route 129 west to Wenatchee Creek and south to the U.S. Forest Service boundary.
The fire is now at 621 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, and air support is actively flying into the area to suppress flames.
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UPDATE at 11:05 a.m.
The Cougar Creek fire near Grande Ronde River in Asotin County has increased to an estimated 520 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Firefighting crews from the Department of Natural Resources and Blue Mountain Fire volunteers have been working on the fire since it began last evening around 6:30 p.m.
No cause of fire has been determined, but triple-digit temperatures in the region have escalated the dry conditions, fire officials said. Extreme caution is urged.
The wildfire near Silcott Grade, which has been contained, was reportedly ignited by the burning of pallets along the rural road. Asotin County Fire Chief Noel Hardin said an emergency burn ban is still in effect, and no one should be lighting fires at this time.
“If someone starts a wildland fire, they could face charges and be responsible for fire suppression costs,” Hardin said on the district’s Facebook page.
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UPDATE AT 8:37 A.M.:
The Cougar Creek Fire will be handled by a Type 3 Incident Management Team at some point this morning, according to a Facebook post by the Blue Mountain Fire District #1.
Those traveling on Washington State Highway 129 and Rattlesnake Grade are advised to use caution because of the influx of fire apparatus and equipment.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
Smoke is blanketing the region this morning from multiple wildfires burning in the area.
The Cougar Creek Fire, about 26 miles southwest of Clarkston, is now estimated at 350 acres. The Blue Mountain Fire District, based in Anatone, is assisting the Washington state Department of Natural Resources, which is leading the continuing firefighting effort.
The fire is burning on the north side of the Grande Ronde River in the area of Cougar Creek Road. Ground and air resources are being used to battle the blaze.
At 3 a.m., Asotin County firefighters surrounded a fire on Silcott Grade, about 5 miles west of Clarkston. That fire has been contained, Fire Chief Noel Hardin said on the district’s Facebook page.
The Texas Fire east of Kendrick was most recently estimated at 150 acres and prompted evacuations in rural areas of Latah County. A Level 3 evacuation, meaning to leave immediately, was called for at Cedar Ridge from Idaho Highway 3 to Linden Road, Linden Road to S. Park Road, and Texas Ridge Road and East Road to Sundstrom Road. Level 2 evacuation, meaning by set to leave, was in effect at Texas Ridge and Sundstrom Road to Highway 3, Cedar Ridge Road at Linden Road to Three Bear Road, and all houses west of 1210 Cedar Ridge Road. Level 1 evacuation, meaning to be ready, was in effect for any homes 2 miles outside of the Level 2 area.
Air quality in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley is listed in the unhealthy for sensitive groups range.
This story will be updated when more information is available.
