Latest news with #RyanRodruck
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crews continue to battle Western Pines fire northeast of Davenport
Jul. 10—The Western Pines fire burning northeast of Davenport has nearly doubled in size as crews continue to battle the blaze as it approaches the Spokane River. Listed at about 2,100 acres on Wednesday, the fire has now grown to about 3,800 acres, according to Ryan Rodruck, spokesman for the Washington Department of Natural Resources. It's believed to have started about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday near Carp Lake and Western Pines roads. It spread rapidly east, driven by winds on Wednesday and is expected to spread south. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has several evacuation orders in place for the area. On Wednesday, crews "engaged in initial attack of the fire with retardant drops from aerial resources and structure protection crews engaging in operations," according to a DNR news release. "Local and adjacent fire district resources engaged in initial attack and began to construct direct, and indirect, fire line(s) in coordination with dozers." Some 78 crews worked through the night Wednesday to try to get containment on the fire, according to the release. "Aerial resources began to slow the fire and ground crews looked for safe areas to begin more fire line construction, but rugged terrain limited access to some areas," the statement reads. As of 7 a.m. Thursday, the Northeast Washington Interagency Type 3 incident management team assumed command of the efforts to control the fire. Fire crews will be broken into divisions and strike teams from the state mobilization will help relieve local resources, according to the release. "Today crews will progress off the work completed (Wednesday) and through the night," the release states. "Ground crews will focus on connecting fire lines around the perimeter of the fire and aerial resources will continue to knock down the forward progression of the fire." The weather conditions, especially the high winds, have calmed which should help efforts to control the fire. The high in the area is expected to reach 83 degrees Thursday. Winds should be out of the west from 5-to-10 mph and they will shift to northwest this afternoon. Thursday night, winds will continue out of the northeast from 3-to-7 mph. This story is developing and will be updated.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hot, dry weather conditions launch earlier start to WA wildfire season
The Brief Washington's wildfire season is starting early due to dangerously dry conditions, increasing fire risks. Human activities, like unattended campfires and fireworks, are major causes of wildfires in the state. Despite budget cuts, DNR is prepared to fight fires and urges public caution to prevent sparks. OLYMPIA, Wash. - This year's wildfire season in Washington has the potential to be destructive and explosive. Officials with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the landscapes are dangerously dry, which has increased fire risks earlier in the season than usual. "We are definitely in the fire season now," said Ryan Rodruck, wildfire communications manager for the DNR. "We have extremely hot and extremely dry conditions. Typically, we will see somewhat of a moderate ramp up into fire season, but we are in the season now and those fires are starting to materialize on the landscape." The DNR reported about 90% of wildfires in Washington are human-caused. With the drought conditions drying out vegetation, Rodruck said something like throwing a lit cigarette butt on the ground or dragging chains from a vehicle could spark the flames. "It's an unattended campfire, it's an inappropriately ignited burn pile, or a burn pile that was possibly done in conditions that were too windy or too dry. Of course, during the Fourth of July and around that time, it's fireworks. Any cause that you would think where humans can start a fire, those sparks can get on the landscape," said Rodruck. Protecting the landscape could be a challenge this season. Dave Upthegrove, Commissioner of Public Lands, posted a statement to Facebook, saying Governor Bob Ferguson signed a state budget that cut funding in half for wildfire prevention, readiness, and response. Upthegrove's statement continued, saying, "Now is not the time to cut back on our ability to protect our state's lands, forests, and communities from the restless - and rising - threat of wildfires." Despite those budget changes, the DNR said it has everything it needs to fight fires within its jurisdiction. "We are well-prepared for the exercise of any mutual aid agreements we would have with our fire district partners and local fire resources. Despite the fact that we are predicting the above-average season, DNR is ready and able to address those fires that happen in the state of Washington," said Rodruck. Still, those firefighters need the public's help protecting the land. Rodruck said the DNR is urging all people to be responsible this wildfire season. "Caution is more important than ever as we enter into our fire season for the year," said Rodruck. "Help your firefighters by keeping those sparks off the landscape when it's this hot and this dry." Fire officials said it's not too late for people to create a defensible space around their property, especially for those who live and work in the wildland urban interface. That protection includes removing dry brush and dead vegetation leaning on and surrounding the property. "It's more important than ever that you are abiding by those burn restrictions that you make sure that you are recreating safely," said Rodruck. "Be aware of your responsibility with fire as we enter a period of hot, dry weather, and a hot, dry fire season." The Source Information in this story came from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove. Search for Travis Decker: Authorities identify 'new details, new search areas' in WA Former Army squadmate shares insight into Travis Decker's military past Woman dies after Seattle house fire; arson investigation underway Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle 11 injured after teen speeds, causes fiery crash in Lacey Man hurt after shooting near University of Washington To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FIRE REPORT: Second Creek fire continues blazing, one other fire mostly contained
May 29—LEAVENWORTH — The Second Creek Fire is sitting at around 75 acres as of Thursday night, growing around 9.9 acres since Wednesday, according to a statement from Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue. The fire started Monday around 11 a.m. with the fire being assumed to be human caused and under investigation. There is around 20% containment as of Thursday night. The fire is located on steep, remote terrain approximately eight miles north of Leavenworth, near the community of Plain, according to the statement. Around 150 personnel are working on containing the blaze, according to Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue. The fire overall showed minimal growth or increased fire activity Wednesday. There was moderate rainfall over the fire footprint Thursday morning and temperatures have lowered in the fire area after the high found Wednesday. "It is a pretty steep terrain that is presenting some challenges to containment, but crews are working hard despite those challenges," Department of Natural Resources Wildfire Communications Manager Ryan Rodruck said. Highway 261 Fire The Highway 261 fire started Tuesday around 1:19 p.m., according to a statement from the State Fire Marshal's Office. The fire was an estimated 200 acres and located near Washtucna on State Route 261 and Lyons Ferry Road. According to Deputy State Fire Marshal Amy Thornton, the fire is mostly contained at around 5 p.m. Thursday night. "Things are pretty much being wrapped up this evening," Thornton said. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, according to the statement.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hot, dry, windy WA weather raises wildfire danger concerns
The Brief The Second Creek Fire near Leavenworth has burned 64 acres and is 20% contained, with 200 personnel working to control it. Dry, hot conditions and high winds are raising concerns about an early and potentially severe wildfire season in Washington. Officials urge caution with campfires and outdoor burning, as 90% of wildfires are human-caused. LEAVENWORTH, Wash. - Wildland firefighters and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continue working to extinguish the Second Creek Fire, about eight miles north of Leavenworth. The DNR said the wildfire was first reported on the afternoon of May 26. As of Wednesday afternoon, the wildfire had burned an estimated 64 acres and was approximately 20 percent contained. "Crews have been making significant progress on the Second Creek Fire, and we're ready for what 'Mother Nature' may throw at us," said Ryan Rodruck, wildfire communications manager for DNR. Dry, hot temperatures on Wednesday were felt across Washington, and high winds were forecast for Thursday. The weather conditions raised concerns of wildfire danger on the east side of the state. "We are only at the end of May right now, and we're already seeing some of these extreme hot conditions," said Rodruck. The DNR said at least 200 personnel would be staffed on the ground and in the air for the Second Creek Fire on Wednesday to battle the flames in the hot weather conditions. Washington could see an above-average wildfire season, according to the DNR's early estimates. However, with the Second Creek Fire already burning, Rodruck said firefighters weren't expecting wildfires to spark so soon. "It is early in the season. We are experiencing hot, dry conditions. It is definitely early to see these sorts of fire starts," said Rodruck. "Hot, dry days can certainly exacerbate that fire behavior. We can see increased fire activity. We can see increased fire spread." Though the DNR said crews have resources to safely handle the Second Creek Fire, officials emphasized it is everyone's responsibility to prevent future fires from sparking. "Caution is absolutely warranted at this point. We need to start being careful with those campfires, being aware of what the burn restrictions are in the area you're recreating. And also be aware of what the burn restrictions are when it comes to outdoor burning," said Rodruck. The DNR said about 90 percent of wildfires are human-caused. Since it's an earlier, drier, hotter start to the wildfire season, Rodruck said people should act now by creating defensible space to protect their property from flames. "Make sure that your eaves are clear of pine needles. Make sure that you don't have any low-hanging branches that are over your property that could start a fire. Make sure all that flammable material is moved well away from any structures," said Rodruck. "It's incumbent upon all of us to make it as safe as possible both for our neighbors and for our firefighters." The Source Information in this story came from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. A religious group held a protest outside Seattle City Hall. Here's why LIVE: Updates on Seattle's Tuesday protest, arrests, more Crews battle Second Creek Fire near Leavenworth, WA 2 injured in separate Seattle shootings Teen, child killed in Lacey, WA mobile home fire Crews investigate explosion at Woodinville, WA hardware store College Inn Pub announces closure after 50 years in Seattle Dave's Hot Chicken to open 4 new locations in Seattle area. Here's where To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
