Satus Pass Fire Grows 30 Homes Evacuated

Here we enter into about 24 hours after this wildfire started 7/24...it's at about 1,600 acres and typical of many small rural areas, we find out information from word of mouth of by people on "the outside"

We see smoke, but until we know exactly where it is, it's hard to determine facts.  At the moment the fire is in open area, generally moving East which is less populated and will eventually run out of fuel and into the Columbia.  If winds shift and it moves West or North then the forests are pretty rugged and ripe for fire.

Happy Tails doesn't anticipate an emergency this time around, and we pray all homes, livestock and lives are saved for everyone.   We do have sufficient crates for each dog but would need help for actual evacuation IF it came to that.....

Horses, llamas, goats, feral cats would probably be turned loose in an emergency event...unless there were plenty of time to stage volunteers with trailers/trucks.  Again, at this time, all paws crossed.




 

SATUS PASS, Wash. --  A forest fire near Goldendale has forced 30 homes to evacuate in the Box Canyon Road area. Officials say the fire has burned 1,600 acres as of late Thursday morning.

 

The Department of Transportation has closed Highway 97 from Toppenish to Goldendale. Officials planned to reevaluate the closure at 1:00 p.m.

"It's more intense, different fuel, a lot dryer, you know we're at a haines index of 5 today, so this thing just got out and moved, it's pretty intense," said Don Jones, Yakama Nation Fire Chief.
Currently there are no homes threatened. The fire is on tribal lands and is moving to the east. However, if the wind changes directions the blaze would hit DNR land to the west, which would put homes at risk.

Fire officials told KIMA this is one of the worst fires they've seen in a while. As of Thursday morning, there was no containment.

Currently there are about 50 personnel fighting the fire. There is a mixture of DNR personnel, Yakama Nation Fire management, and an Ahtanum Crew. There are also three helicopters assisting.

"It could burn for a while with the weather we've got," said Jones.

The Yakama nation has called for back up from a Type 2 team, which will take control of the fire tomorrow. This means that various other crews and resources will come in to take over management of the fire.

"Right now we're handling with local resources and trying to do the best we can with what we have," said Jones.

Officials have asked drivers to avoid Highway 97 between Toppenish and Goldendale.

This is a photo taken over looking the Goldendale High School

 Here is a link providing time lapse photos, 800 over a 30 min period to show rapid growth:

http://www.kimatv.com/news/local/Watch-Time-lapse-of-Mile-Marker-28-Fire-216962971.html