Kittitas officials issue evacuation notice for Jolly Mountain Fire

CLE ELUM, Wash. – Authorities at the Jolly Mountain Fire on Thursday issued evacuation warnings for homes and cabins in an area west of Cle Elum, but there was better news west of Yakima, where firefighters say public danger from the Norse Peak Fire has subsided for now.

Both fires were started Aug. 11 by lightning. The Jolly Mountain Fire, which is burning northwest of Cle Elum stood at 1,735 acres Thursday and remained zero percent contained. Level 2 evacuation notices were issued, alerting residents in the Salmon La Sac, Paris Creek and Boulder Creek areas to be ready to leave at any point.

And one of the more traveled roads in the area of Salmon La Sac, Forest Service Road 4330, was expected to be closed Friday morning. The road is the only way in and out of a large swath of backcountry.

Fire spokesman Al Koss said flames could jump the road, trapping those on the far side.

“If we do get into an evacuation system, it’s easier to work with known landowners because we’ve mapped them and know where they are,” he said. “But with recreation visitors, they’re all over the place so it’d be hard to find them and get them out of the area.”

Thursday’s lower temperatures helped calm the fire as it moved to an area with fewer trees and bushes.

The 323 firefighters are using indirect methods to contain it, such as defining fire breaks and cutting down large fuels.

Further south, the Norse Peak Fire was pushed by gusts up to 25 mph on parched ridges that haven’t seen rain for 67 days. Burning about 11 miles west of Cliffdell, the fire was reported at 2,445 acres as of Thursday.

To stall the fire, crews continued removing trees and brush along State Route 410 east of Chinook Pass. Those efforts are expected to continue, keeping the highway closed during the day until at least Monday.

The road opens at 8 p.m. and closes every morning at 6. Motorists are cautioned to drive no more than 45 mph and are not allowed to stop along the road.

Four other fires nearby – also started by lighting – have burned a total of about 400 acres. To fight the largest of those fires, crews installed sprinklers along a minor trail above the American River.