Record property loss in five years
(InciWeb)
YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — A fast-growing wildfire near Yakima has destroyed five homes, and firefighters were bracing for windy conditions on Wednesday.
The destruction of the five primary residences by the Evans Canyon Fire represents the greatest loss of property to fire in Yakima County in nearly five years.
InciWeb: Evans Canyon Fire Updates
The Yakima Herald-Republic reported the fire more than doubled in size Tuesday night because of high winds, and stood at 12,900 acres (20 square miles) on Wednesday morning. Containment was at 0%.
Regional Northwest incident management team spokesperson Roland Emetaz said increasing winds, along with plenty of dry fuels, could create difficult conditions. He also noted firefighters face hotter-than-average temperatures for this time of year with highs in the 90s through Sunday in Naches.
The fire started at 2:30 p.m. Monday about eight miles northwest of Naches and grew rapidly in the Wenas Valley. Emetaz said the cause was unknown.
Level 3 (go now) evacuation orders were in place for all homes north of Wenas Lake, west of Longmire Lane and north of Naches Wenas Road in Selah, and north to the Kittitas County line.
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