Be Careful Yakima Conditions are Prime for a Big Wildfire
Firefighters are hoping no new fires start with elevated fire conditions in the state. Firefighters are battling the Seven Bays Fire located about 15 miles northwest of Davenport. The fire started on Sunday, September 4th and has burned about 1,175 acres of range land, stubble and scattered forest lands. The fire is 25% contained.
Other fires are burning in the state
The U.S. Forest Service anticipates increased fire activity in the Pasayten Wilderness Fires on Sep. 7, located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Public Information Officer Kerri Green said increased winds and dry weather conditions may grow existing wildfires ignited from the lightning strikes on Aug. 11. The nine fires within the Pasayten Wilderness Area are located on the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, as well as the Chilliwack Complex Fires within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.
The area is primed for a big wildfire so be careful
Officials say wind and low humidity make for prime fire conditions and they didn't end Wednesday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch 11:00 am Friday until 10:00 pm on Saturday. The warnings are issued so everyone knows that the conditions will be ideal for the start and spread of a wildfire. Firefighters just ask that you be careful with anything that could start a small fire and grow into a large wildfire. Authorities say simple things like dragging a chain from your vehicle or parking next to dry weeds with a hot exhaust can cause small fires that can grow especially in the hot dry conditions that happen during the month.
Remember the smoke from the Schneider Springs Fire last year?
So far no major wildfires have started in the Naches Ranger District this year unlike last year when firefighters were busy with the Schneider Springs Fire. That fire, 18 miles northwest of Naches was started by lightning and burned more than 107,000 acres.