Cle Elum Fire In Washington: I-90 Temporarily Closed, Other Areas Also Affected

Parts of Westbound Interstate 90 were shut for a brief period because of an 8-acre brush fire sparked by a truck that caught fire near Cle Elum, Washington, on Sunday evening.

According to the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the crews will stay on the scene overnight to monitor hot spots and an aircraft was called to Cle Elum to assist the local fire crews on the ground. At present, 5 planes are helping to control the blaze.

Brian Moore, Washington state patrol trooper, said the traffic along I-90 should be normal by Monday and barrels will be set up to block the right lane in the I-90 area of the fire overnight.

“I-90 westbound now fully closed due to fire. Traffic being detoured by WSP at Cle Elum, Exit 84 to SR-903 and then back to I-90 westbound at Exit 80, Bullfrog. Expect delays. Unknown ETA for reopening,” Moore had initially tweeted.

A wildfire also started near 25 Mile Creek along the south shore of Lake Chelan, Washington, on Sunday evening. As of 7.30 pm EDT, level 3 evacuation was issued in surrounding areas of 25 Mile Creek State Park including Hale Rd and Shady Pass. Fire resources from Chelan, Entiat, Manson and Douglas County Fire are at the scene. The fire has spread to five acres.

Type II helicopter air support teams are also at the scene and the fire has crossed both sides of Highway 971 at 25 Mile Creek State Park.