Colockum Tarps Fire - County Roads to be Reopened at 12pm 08/15/2013

Effective at 12pm today, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office will reopen all county roads affected by the Colockum Tarps Fire.

Poor Air Quality Conditions in Kittitas County 08/13/2021

Kittitas County is currently under an air quality advisory through 10 a.m. Monday August 16, which has been issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology). Smoke as a result of fires in Okanogan and Yakima counties is affecting the air quality in Kittitas County and the rest of eastern Washington.

All Evacuation areas reduced to Level I 08/13/2013

Effective 6:00AM All of the Evacuation areas in Kittitas County have been lowered to Level I, which is classified as, 'Awareness'.

Evacuation levels reduced 08/08/2013

Effective 6:00AM this morning the Level III Evacuation zone surounding the private properties in the North-East protions of Kititas County were reduced to Level II.

8-7-13 1530 HOURS – PSA - Colockum Tarps Fire 08/07/2013

Effective at 6am on Thursday, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office expects to reduce the Level 3 Evacuation to a Level 2 for Colockum Road, Sheep Creek, Trail Creek, Tucker Creek, Secret Canyon to the end of the paved road. These areas will be open to property owners and fire crews only. Residents are advised to use caution as they return home and keep the roads clear for fire apparatus moving through the area.

8-5-13 1600 HOURS – PSA - Colockum Tarps Fire 08/05/2013

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office has lowered evacuation levels in some areas affected by the Colockum Tarps Fire:

Evacuation Levels remain the same 08/03/2013

8/03/2013 - 3:45pm Evacuation Levels remain the same for Colockum Rd and upper Parke Creek Rd.

8-2-13 1400 HOURS – PSA - Colockum Tarps Fire 08/02/2013

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office advises the Level 3 Evacuations will remain in place for the upper Parke Creek, upper Colockum and Secret Canyon areas today. The Sheriff’s Office is working with the fire team to evaluate these areas and determine when it is safe for residents to return home.

8-2-13 1700 HOURS – PSA - Colockum Tarps Fire 08/02/2013

The Level 3 Evacuations will remain in place for the upper Parke Creek, upper Colockum and Secret Canyon areas Friday night. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to work with the fire team to evaluate these areas and determine when it is safe for residents to return home.

Evacuation Level lowered in Cook Canyon 08/01/2013

The Sheriff's Office lowered the Evacuation Level in Cook Canyon from Level III to Level II this morning at 6:30 AM.

8-1-13 1030 HOURS – PSA - Colockum Tarps Fire 08/01/2013

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office advises the Level 3 Evacuations will remain in place for the next 24 hours for the upper Parke Creek, upper Colockum and Secret Canyon areas. The Sheriff’s Office is continually evaluating the evacuation levels as more fire information becomes available.

Evacuation in progress 07/31/2013

The Colockum / Tarpiscan Fire has reached one of the established trigger points, prompting an upgrade to Level III Evacuation.

7-31-13 1100 HOURS – PSA - Colockum Tarps Fire 07/31/2013

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office has completed Level 3 Evacuation notifications for the upper Parke Creek and Secret Canyon areas, as the Colockum Tarps Fire continues to push southwest with shifting winds. Approximately 75 structures are in the Level 3 evacuation area, including 20-25 primary residences. The number of people displaced by the evacuations is unknown at the time.

7-31-13 1300 HOURS – PSA - Colockum Tarps Fire - Immediate Evacuations 07/31/2013

The Kittitas County Emergency Operations Center has upgraded Level 1 and 2 Evacuation areas to Level 3 effective immediately due to increased movement of the Colockum Tarps Fire.

Air Quality Fluctuates as Colockum Tarps Fire Continues to Burn 07/31/2013

The air quality in Kittitas County has been fluctuating between good, moderate, and unhealthy for sensitive groups. The range of air quality categories include good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy, and hazardous.

7-31-13 1900 HOURS – PSA - Colockum Tarps Fire 07/31/2013

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office has completed Level 3 evacuation notifications for the Colockum Tarps Fire. There are approximately 100 structures in the evacuation area, including primary residences and recreational properties. The Sheriff’s Office has confirmed 71 residents have evacuated, while some residents have opted to stay in place.

7-30-13 1645 HOURS – Colockum Tarps Fire 07/30/2013

Effective 1300 today, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office has upgraded the Emergency Operations Center to Level 2 in order to activate additional EOC divisions and in preparation of the utilization of additional resources for the Colockum Tarps Fire. The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners declared a State of Emergency as of 1415 today.

7-29-13 1530 HOURS Press Release – Colockum Tarps Fire 07/29/2013

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office has activated the Emergency Operations Center at Level 1 (Enhanced Communications only), as a precaution due to the Colockum Tarps Fire. The fire is burning south of the town of Malaga, west of the Columbia River in Chelan County, and has moved across the Kittitas County line, growing to approximately 25,000 acres. There has been no structure loss and there is no imminent threat to residences in Kittitas County.

Chelan County Fire Raises Concern about Kittitas County Air Quality 07/29/2013

Smoke from the Chelan County fire “Colockum Tarps” is causing concern to residents of Kittitas County. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology air quality monitoring site in Ellensburg, the most recent air quality status is considered “good”. The range of air quality categories include good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy, and hazardous.

Warning notice for Clockum Pass and Tarpiscan 07/28/2013

Message from The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office to avoid recreation and travel in the Clockum Pass area as the Chelan County Fire, now estimated at 14,000 acres, has reached the Northern Border of Kittitas County.