KITTITAS  – The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued an area closure for all recreation areas within the SR821 Yakima Canyon corridor due to the Evans Canyon Fire burning to the west of the Yakima River.

BLM has closed all campgrounds in the canyon and the Sheriff’s Office has posted closure notices at all river access points along the canyon in an effort to keep the public safe from the encroaching fire.  The public is advised to stay off the Yakima River until further notice.

The Sheriff’s Office is also working closely with Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue (KVFR) on contingency plans for the SR821 corridor should the fire threaten the canyon.

There are no evacuation notices issued to residences/homes in the Yakima Canyon at this time, but residents are encouraged to monitor fire information.  Should the need arise for such notices, alerts would be sent out through Everbridge and deputies would go door-to-door to notify residents in the affected area.

To sign up for emergency alerts, you can go online or download the Everbridge mobile app, https://member.everbridge.net/index/337829242601599

A reminder of the Evacuation Levels and what they mean:

  • Level 1 “Ready” – Residents should be aware of the fire threat in the area and start preparing to leave.
  • Level 2 “Set” – Residents should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.  Important papers, photos and medicines/prescriptions should be packed and ready to take with you.
  • Level 3 “Go” – Residents should evacuate immediately.

Stay informed on evacuations and general fire information with the following resources: