Black Canyon Fire burns 11,000 acres in central WA

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"Black Canyon Firefighter and Smoke Column" (Photo: InciWeb)

YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. - The Black Canyon Fire burning in central Washington has charred an estimated 11,099 acres, and some residents are evacuating for safety.

By Friday, the Washington State DNR announced that the Black Canyon Fire, burning about 10 miles northwest of Naches, Washington, had grown to an estimated 11,099 acres – almost doubling in size since the DNR's Wednesday update. The fire remains 0% contained.

Photo: Washington State DNR Wildfire

Another fire burning west of the Black Canyon Fire, the Retreat Rimrock Fire, prompted the Board of Yakima County Commissioners to approve a Declaration of Emergency on Thursday.

As resource needs ramp up across the state, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz has asked Governor Jay Inslee to activate National Guard aircrews.

Black Canyon Fire evacuations issued in Yakima County

Level 3 "GO NOW" Evacuation notices were issued for some residents at around 7 a.m., according to Yakima Valley Emergency Management (YVEM).

"A wildfire is threatening your safety," the YVEM wrote in a Facebook post. "If you are within the evacuation zone of the Black Canyon Fire, get your family and pets in your vehicles and leave now!"

Level 3 "GO NOW" Evacuation notices have been issued for people living in the Wenas and Conrad Ranch areas of Selah, Washington. (Map provided by Yakima Valley Emergency Management)

Level 3 "GO NOW" Evacuation notices have been issued in the following areas:

North side of N Wenas Rd. from Wenas Lake to Boyd Rd.
North side of Boyd Rd. east to Sheep Company Rd.
West side of Sheep Company Rd. N to the Horse Trailer Parking area on Old Durr Rd.
West boundary: Wenas Lake north to the LT Murray Ridge
Northern boundary: LT Murray Ridge

Level 3 "GO NOW" Evacuation notices have been issued for people living in the Upper Wenas area (Map provided by Yakima Valley Emergency Management)

Level 3 "GO NOW" Evacuation notices in the Upper Wenas area:

All of Lakeview Rd. from N Wenas Rd. to the end of Lakeview Rd.
Entire Elk Ridge Lane from N Wenas Rd. to the end of Elk Ridge Lane
All homes north of N Wenas Rd. from Lakeview Rd. to the east end of Lake Wenas

Level 2 "GET SET" Evacuation notices have also been issued. Officials are asking residents to have their families and pets ready to leave and to move emergency supplies into their vehicles.

Level 2 evacuation map in Selah Washington. Residents have been asked to get their belongings and be ready to leave at a moment's notice if the Black Canyon Fire grows.

Level 2 "GET SET" Evacuation notices have been issued for people living in the Wenas and Conrad Ranch areas of Selah, Washington. (Map provided by Yakima Valley Emergency Management)

Level 2 Evacuation notices have been issued for people in the following areas:

Residents in the Wenas and Conrad Ranch areas of Selah
South side of N Wenas Rd. from Wenas Lake to Longmire Lane
West side of Longmire Lane from N Wenas Rd. to Naches Wenas Rd.
West side of Naches Wenas Rd. from Longmire Lane to Clemans Dr.
North from the intersection of Naches Wenas Rd. and Clemans Dr. to Wenas Lake

As crews continue to fight the fire throughout the day with ground and air resources, the American Red Cross is working to set up shelter for those who have already evacuated.

The YVEM has also been translating evacuation notices for Spanish-speaking residents in the area:

"La Cruz Roja Estadounidense está trabajando para establecer un refugio para las personas evacuadas del incendio Black Canyon en Selah, WA. Se proporcionará más información una vez que se haya establecido el refugio."

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