Firefighters set to battle 500-acre blaze


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YAKIMA, Wash. — Incident commanders are planning to put the first firefighters on the ground today as a 500-acre forest fire burns about 10 miles southwest of Rimrock Lake.

The fire started Wednesday due to lightning, but the remote location prevented an initial attack, officials say.

The fire’s size was reported Thursday as 150 acres.

The new acreage is the result of better measurement, not significant growth, said Roland Emetaz, spokesman for the Central Washington Incident Management Team, an interagency group that will oversee the firefighting effort.

The fire, dubbed Discovery, is expected to close Forest Road 1000, the South Fork Tieton Road in the Naches Ranger District, at least through the weekend. That closure includes the popular Conrad Meadows.

The Ahtanum State Forest is also closed through at least the weekend, acccording to the state Department of Natural Resources.  While the area is not directly threatened, authorities would have a difficult time evacuating people if the fire makes a run, Emetaz said.

The chance of lightning is forecast to decrease today, then increase through the weekend, Emetaz said. Extreme high temperatures could also complicate the fire’s behavior.

About 125 firefighters and other personnel are assigned to the incident. More than 300 additional firefighters have been requested.

— Mark Morey



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