YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. – UPDATE JULY 27 2:00 p.m.
Yakima Valley Emergency Management all evacuation levels in the affected areas have been dropped to Level 1 “Get Ready.”
UPDATE JULY 26 5:22 p.m.
An update from Yakima Valley Emergency Management says evacuation levels have been lifted for the following areas:
Longmire Lane to Boyd Road on the north side of Wenas RoadNorth side of Boyd Road east to Sheep Company RoadWest side of Sheep Company Road north to the Horse Trailer Parking Area on Old Durr Road
UPDATE JULY 25 7:40 p.m.
Yakima Valley Emergency Management announced changes to evacuation orders.
The north side of North Wenas Road from Longmire Road to Maloy Road will remain at level 3 (GO NOW), however the south side of North Wenas Road within the same boundaries is now level 2 (BE SET).
All other evacuation areas will remain the same, per YVEM.
UPDATE JULY 25 2:25 p.m.
Due to better mapping a more accurate acreage estimate for the Black Canyon Fire is now available.
The Black Canyon Fire is now considered to be 11,099 acres, according to Ryan Rodruck.
Although the size is larger than initially thought, the fire did has not actually grown in size, but is just better mapped, according to Rodruck.
The cause of the Black Canyon Fire is currently unknown, however, Department of Natural Resource Fire Investigators are looking for a person of interest who was in the area at the time the fire started.
UPDATE JULY 25. 11 a.m.
The Black Canyon Fire is now 7,500 acres, according to InciWeb.
UPDATE JULY 24, 4:20 p.m.
Green Dot roads in the Wenas Wildlife Area are reportedly closed for public safety and to allow for crews to fight the Black Canyon Fire, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The fire’s size is still estimated to be 6,500 acres with zero percent containment.
UPDATE JULY 23 4:39 p.m.
According to BLM Wildfire Public Information Officer Ryan Rodruck, the fire’s size is now estimated to be 6,500 acres.
The fire’s cause is under investigation and there is no timeframe for its containment.
The evacuation shelter at the Selah Civic Center is currently on stand-by, however those needing a place to stay can still visit.
UPDATE JULY 23 2:42 p.m.
The Black Canyon Fire is now estimated to be 5,000 acres in size, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
UPDATE JULY 23 1 p.m.
State fire resource mobilization was approved at 11:15 a.m. for the Black Canyon Fire that is now burning about 4,500 acres and a shelter for evacuees is now open at the Selah Civic Center.
The American Red Cross Northwest Region opened a shelter for those affected by the fire at the Selah Civic Center located at 216 S. 1st Street at 12:30 p.m. on July 23.
According to the Naches Fire Department, Base Camp for the fire is being set up Naches Valley School District Middle School. The public is asked to not drop off water or snacks for firefighters at this time as state mobilized resources come with supplies.
The Selah Fire Department first responded to the two-alarm fire near Black Canyon above Wenas Lake on July 23. The Naches Fire Department and the Department of Natural Resources assisted in fighting the fire and state mobilization was approved around 11:15 a.m. on July 23.
UPDATE JULY 23 7:50 a.m.
Level 2 (GET SET) evacuation notices have now been issued for residents in the Wenas and Conrad Ranch areas of Selah, according to Yakima Valley Emergency Management.
Residents in the following areas should have their families and pets ready to go and should have emergency supplies and belongings packed in their cars.
Level 2 (GET SET) evacuation areas
South side of North Wenas Rd from Wenas Lake to Longmire LaneWest side of Longmire Lane from North Wenas Rd to Naches Wenas RdWest side of Naches Wenas Rd from Longmire Lane to Clemans DriveNorth from the intersection of Naches Wenas Rd and Clemans Drive to Wenas Lake
UPDATE JULY 23 7:11 a.m.
According to Yakima Valley Emergency Management, Level 3 (GO NOW) Evacuation Notices are now in place for the following areas due to the Black Canyon Fire that is now burning 4,500 acres.
Residents in the following areas should get their families and pets and leave immediately.
North side of North Wenas Rd from Wenas Lake to Boyde RdNorth side of Boyd Road east to Sheep Company RoadWest side of Sheep Company Road, north to Horse Trailer Parking Area on Old Durr RoadWest Boundary: Wenas Lake north to the LT Murray RidgeNorthern Boundary: LT Murray Ridge
UPDATE JULY 23 5:27 a.m.
Yakima Valley Emergency Management issued new evacuation orders early Tuesday morning after the Black Canyon Fire in the Upper Wenas area grew to 4,500 acres overnight.
Officials are requesting for anyone in the area of Lakeview Road and Elk Ridge Lane in Selah to get their family and pets in their vehicles and leave now!
Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuations are set for the following areas:
All of Lakeview Road from North Wenas Road to the end of Lakeview RoadAll of Elk Ridge Lane from North Wenas Road to the end of Elk Ridge Lane.All homes north of North Wenas Road from Lakeview Road to the east end of Lake Wenas.
UPDATE JULY 22 11:47 p.m.
All evacuations for the Black Canyon Fire have been downgraded to level 2 (BE SET), according to Yakima Valley Emergency Management.
UPDATE 11:08 p.m.
State fire mobilization has been authorized for the Black Canyon Fire, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The fire is reportedly 1,500 acres in size and burning old growth, sage and cheatgrass. It is threatening homes, the electical grid, irrigation and cultural areas.
Level 3 (GO NOW) and level 2 (BE SET) evacuations are still in place.
UPDATE 9:52 p.m.
A level 2 (BE SET) evacuation notice for Umptanum Road at Durr Road south to the county line is in place, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office.
UPDATE 9:05 p.m.
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office announced that Umptanum Road is closed at Durr Road due to the Black Canyon Fire.
UPDATE 8:49 p.m.
According to DNR Wildfire Public Information Officer Ryan Rodruck, the Black Canyon Fire is now 1,000 acres in size.
An additional level 2 (BE SET) evacuation area was announced by Yakima County Emergency Management to include the north side of North Wenas Road from Boyd Road to Wenas Lake, including Fremuith Road.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE
A wildfire is burning over 200 acres on Department of Natural Resources lands about 10 miles northwest of Naches.
DNR Wildfire Public Information Officer Ryan Rodruck says the Black Canyon Fire is being fought by DNR crews on the ground and in the air.
Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuations are in place on the north side of North Wenas Road from Audubon Road to Wenas Lake. Level 2 (BE SET) evacuations are in place from the south side of North Wenas Road from Audubon Road to Wenas Lake, per Yakima Valley Emergency Management.
Rodruck reports that no structures are being threatened and no roads have been closed.
