UPDATE: August 14 at 1:50 p.m.
The fire is 6,597 acres in size. Authorities confirmed that the fire has not grown since the previous update, rather the estimate is now more accurate.
Level 2 evacuation orders remain in place.
State Route 127 has been reopened.
Authorities also confirmed that the motor home fire on State Route 127 was the cause of this fire.
UPDATE: August 13 at 10:00 p.m.
Firefighters are actively working to manage the Central Ferry Fire, which continues to rage in Whitman County.
The fire has expanded to approximately 5,500 acres with zero percent containment, according to Whitman County Emergency Management.
Level 2 evacuation orders are in effect, urging residents to be prepared to leave if conditions deteriorate.
“Yeah, still currently Level 2 evacuations. So that means to, you know, get ready in case Level 3 comes, which would be to get out,” Matt Floyd, Deputy Director of Whitman County Emergency Management, said.
WHITMAN COUNTY, Wash. – A large wildfire broke out Wednesday afternoon west of Pullman near the small town of Dusty.
The fire, called the Central Ferry Fire by firefighters, had grown to 3,000 acres by 5 p.m., according to Matt Floyd, the deputy director of Whitman County Emergency Management.
Level 2 evacuations, meaning residents should be prepared to leave, were in place as of Wednesday evening.
Last Updated: Aug. 13 at 5 p.m.
A motor home engulfed in flames is blocking northbound lanes on State Route 127 at Penewawa Road. Northbound and southbound lanes are now blocked between Zaring Cut-Off road at milepost 23 and Snake River milepost 10.
Additionally, the Central Ferry Fire has spread to the grass next to the Penawawa road and has grown 600 acres, leading to evacuation order, according to the City of Pullman as of 3:00 p.m.
– Level 3 evacuations are in place for all homes along State Route 127 between mileposts 13 and 13.5.
– Whitman County Emergency Management has issued a Level 2 (Be Ready) Evacuation notice for Central Ferry, North to Dusty, Highway 26 at Dusty to Wilcox and South to Almota
Washington State Patrol Sergeant Greg Riddell said that a vehicle fire was reported at 11:50 a.m., which turned out to be a motor home that had caught on fire heading north on State Route 127.
Riddell also said that the vehicle fire spread and led to a wildland fire, which Whitman County Fire District #11 said they were responding to near south of Dusty along State Route 127.
Whitman County Fire District #11 said that evacuations are underway. They also said that they put out a mutual aid call for all fire units at 12:40 p.m.
A notification around 2:30 p.m. from Pullman Firefighters’ Facebook said that every Whitman County Fire District was present.
Washington Emergency Management Division said that the wildfire is now 600 acres and growing. The fire is growing through grass, wheat and brush.
At 12:50 p.m., Washington State Department of Transportation said that due to the vehicle fire, the northbound and southbound lanes will be blocked from the Zaring Cut-Off at milepost 23 to Snake River at milepost 10 starting at 12:37 p.m. until further notice and that travelers should use other routes and avoid the area.
The evacuation map for the Penewawa fire can be found HERE.
