Growing Wildfire Causes Evacuation of Vantage, Closes I-90

With fire smoke and haze causing difficult visibilty and flames close to the road, Interstate 90 near Vantage has been closed, at least as of 9am Tuesday.

The Kittitas County Sheriff reports the Ryegrass Coulee fire continues to grow, and evacuations are in place for some areas. The fire has burned more than 400 guardrail posts on the Interstate and it remains closed at the East end of the Columbia River Bridge at Vantage.

It is 0% contained, and has stretched out to at least 4.5 miles. The town of Vantage is under a level 3 evacuation notice. More information expected soon. A Red Cross shelter has been set up in nearby George, people are urged to drive there if they can.