A fast-moving wildfire near Cle Elum, Washington, has spread across both sides of Interstate 90, prompting a full closure of the highway around 4 p.m. on Monday, according to KIMA Action News.
The fire, which is burning trees and vegetation, has jumped I-90 and is now affecting areas on both the north and south sides of the roadway.
While no evacuation orders have been issued at this time, residents report that smoke is visible from the nearby city of Roslyn.
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Authorities provide update
{{/usCountry}}Also Read: Baltimore Harbor explosion: Cargo Ship blows up in Chesapeake Bay; Shocking video emerges
Authorities provide update
{{/usCountry}}Authorities said multiple fires are burning along I-90 between mileposts 72 and 84. Fire crews from various departments are actively working to contain the blazes with the help of bulldozers and aerial support.
The Cle Elum Volunteer Fire Department released the following update, “Due to multiple fires along the roadway, I-90 is closed EB at MP 70 near Easton and WB at MP 106 near Ellensburg. Multiple brush fires are currently burning along I-90 between mileposts 84 and 72. Fire crews from all area departments are actively working to contain the fires”
Kittitas County Fire District 7 added in a Facebook post, “At this time multiple fires along EB I90 MP 77 to MP 84. Multiple agencies along I90 fighting fires along with dozer and air support. Fire is contained from 74 to 78 between freeway and railroad tracks. No evacuation at this time.”
Jeff Myers, Fire Commissioner for Cle Elum, confirmed the impact on regional transportation, “We understand the highway through Cle Elum from Ellensburg is now closed. This closure of interstate 90 will cause significant traffic impact.”
“There are multiple fires along the freeway and heavy smoke in the air in Upper County. Initial information indicates a cargo trailer was being pulled on a disintegrated tire and rim, and likely was the source of the multiple fires at multiple locations along the highway, although this has not been verified or confirmed at this point. Although this fire is in upper County, resident across the entire area should prepare for associated impacts from the interstate closure,” he added.
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Witness reports
As traffic backed up due to the closure, frustrated drivers shared their experiences on social media.
One person wrote on Facebook: “WADOT fail for what is one of the worst backups I have seen in A very long time! A 4ish mile back up on I-90 west bound at the Vantage Bridge. Sitting in bumper to bumper barely moving traffic still more than 2 miles from the bridge.”
Another added, “There is over 10 miles along I-90 on fire. It's bad."