State fire resources have been mobilized to assist local firefighters battling the Ryegrass Coulee Fire in Kittitas County, near Vantage. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization on July 8, 2026, at 7:45 p.m., at the request of Fire Chief William Rose of Kittitas County Fire District 4. The fire, which began at 4:51 p.m. on July 8, has burned approximately 600 acres and is threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage. Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations are currently in effect.
The fire is burning in grass, brush, and timber, with the cause under investigation. The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray has been activated to Level 2, partial activation, to coordinate state assistance. Two wildland strike teams and air resources have been ordered to aid in containment efforts. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are coordinating the dispatch of resources.
A separate incident involves a hit-and-run collision on State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE on June 25, 2026, where a pedestrian was struck and the vehicle fled westbound over Interstate 5 into Everett. WSP Detective Nick Brockman is seeking witnesses with dashcam footage or information about the silver/grey 90s/early 2000s Chevrolet Tahoe with a missing passenger side marker light.