Firefighters hope to have the Taylor Bridge Wildfire burning near Cle Elum fully contained by the end of Monday, seven days after it started.
The fire is currently 47 percent contained. It has destroyed 48 homes and 15 outbuildings.
The size of the fire had held at 23,225 acres with 1,052 firefighters on hand.
Even after the fire is contained, crews will remain in the area for weeks to monitor hot spots.
Flare ups continue along the fire's northern flank, where firefighters will spend time Monday lighting backfires, allowing the fire to burn in on itself. Neighbors have been warned that new pockets of smoke could be visible throughout the day.
Mandatory evacuations remain in place for the Hidden Valley neighborhood in the northwest corner of the fire, where erratic winds have plagued fire crews.
Evacuation orders in the southeast portion of the fire have been eased.
Good weather over the weekend provided firefighters an opportunity to get ahead of the flames, increasing containment lines and allowing more homeowners to get back inside the fire zone. Lightning that had been in the forecast did not materialize.
No new road closures have been issued. Part of SR 97 has been reopened with a reduced speed limit, and the temporary restriction on the drinking water system for Sunlight Waters development was lifted Saturday night.
Weather forecast for the fire zone
See maps of the fire lines and evacuation areas
Dept. of Agriculture seeking information on animals
The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office says the Washington State Department of Agriculture have asked evacuees to contact the Emergency Operations Center with numbers and types of animals that were left behind, as well as the number of types of deceased animals. Get contact information here
Firefighters say thank you - no donations needed
Fire officials are thanking people who have generously offered support to the firefighters working the Taylor Bridge fire, but said no additional donations are needed. Anyone wanting to contribute to neighbors affected by the fire should direct their contributions to one of the agencies identified below:
Wildland Firefighter Foundation (208) 336-2996
2049 Airport Way,Boise ID 83705
http://www.wffoundation.org
Red Cross (509)925-5866
Accepting financial contributions only
Cle Elum Eagles Club (509) 674-2385
Accepting clothing at Clothing Store locations:
118E 1st Street, Cle Elum WA 98922
220 Pennsylvania Ave., Cle Elum WA 98922
Cle Elum Hope Source (509) 925-1448
Accepting non-perishable food and pet food at:
110 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Cle Elum, WA 98922
ARRF Animal Rescue (509) 304-4805
Accepting pet food and pet supply donations, carriers and livestock hauling
Monetary donation can be made online at http://www.arrfanimalrescue.org/
Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce (509) 925-2002
Accepting financial and general donations, clothing and non-perishable food at:
609 N Main, Ellensburg, WA 98926 (corner of 7th and Main)
Washington Cattlemen's Association (509) 925-9877
Accepting financial donations, feed and fencing supplies at:
1301N. Dolarway, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Resources
Kittitas County has set up a 211 phone line to provide citizens with specific contact information for agencies providing health and human services, animal services, recovery, housing and food assistance, as well as donations.
Anyone who needs these types of services, or information from these agencies, should dial "211" to acquire the necessary information.
Emergency shelters:
-- Cle Elum Centennial Senior Center, 719 E. Third Street, Cle Elum, (509) 963-1141
-- Central Washington University, Munson Dorms, Ellensburg, (509) 674-7530
-- Animals evacuated to the Kittitas County Fairground
Donations are being accepted by the Red Cross. The Kittitas County Sheriff has said money, not goods, are the best way to help residents. Find out how you can help.
Related links:
Kittitas Community Connect Facebook page
Facebook page for evacuated and injured pets and animals
VCA Animal hospitals in the Western Washington area are offering free boarding assistance for small animals whose families have lost their homes or are among those evacuated. Call the VCA Redmond Animal Hospital at 425-885-1476 for more information.
Stunning fire photos from Daily Record newspaper
Watch: SkyKING video over burned homes, structures
Photos of the fire can be sent to KING 5 via email, Twitter, Facebook, or posted directly to KING5.com using Your News.
Associated Press and KING 5 reporting.
