Fire burns more than 100 acres on Selah Ridge and causes local power outages

YAKIMA — Emergency personnel are working to control a fire that has burned more than 100 acres along Selah Ridge and Naches River.

“We’re getting closer to getting this under control,” Selah Fire Chief Jim Lange said a little after 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The fire, which is near the Selah Gap, caused power outages in Selah and parts of Yakima and Gleed, Lange said. It was 70% contained as of 6 p.m. Wednesday, he added.

Lange said 55 firefighters from Selah, Yakima, Gleed, East Valley and the Yakima Training Center are working to control the fire and prevent it from crossing the river. The Department of Natural Resources is assisting with air drops.

Lange said personnel responded around 2:30 p.m. The fire started on the east side of the ridge and wrapped around. It has now burned down to the north bank of the Naches River, where personnel are trying to keep it from jumping the river.

“That’s why there’s so many resources on site,” Lange said.

Lange said there had been no property loss so far and no evacuation orders were in place.

He added that steep terrain, loose rocks and heavy brush by the river made it difficult to fight the fire, which could smolder on the hillside for several days. Lange added that updates will be posted on Facebook.