A Level 3 evacuation order was issued for residents living near a fast-moving wildfire southwest of Clarkston in Asotin County.
The Cougar Creek Fire burning about 26 miles southwest of Clarkston had grown to at least 621 acres as of last (Tue) night.
The Level 3 evacuation includes those living in the Cougar Creek area to Washington State Route 129 near Boggan’s Oasis. Level 2 evacuations, meaning be ready at a moments notice to leave, are in place for those residents south of the Grande Ronde River and north of the U.S. Forest Service boundary between State Route 129 and Wenatchee Creek. Level 1 evacuations have been issued from the intersection of Mill Road and State Route 129 west to Wenatchee Creek and south to the U.S. Forest Service boundary. Those residents are asked to prepare in the event they have to leave.
Additionally, the Grande Ronde River Road is closed to traffic as crews fight the fire and for transport equipment to access the fire area. Travelers are being advised to avoid the area as more resources deploy to help battle the blaze.
An Interagency Incident Management team has taken the lead, and a command center will be set up at the Lincoln Middle School in the Clarkston Heights.
