The Okanogan Wire
Public Safety

Okanogan–Omak, WA

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The Washington State Patrol has authorized state fire assistance for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire in Kittitas County, near Vantage, as reported on July 8, 2026. The fire, which began on July 8 at 4:51 p.m., is estimated at 600 acres and growing, threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage. Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations are in effect.

State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are coordinating the dispatch of two wildland strike teams and air resources to aid in containment efforts. The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance. The fire cause is currently under investigation.

Additionally, the WSP is seeking witnesses to an injury hit-and-run collision that occurred on June 25, 2026, on State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE. A silver/grey late 90s, early 2000s Chevrolet Tahoe style vehicle struck a pedestrian and fled the scene. The vehicle is missing the passenger side marker light, and detectives are asking for witnesses with dash camera footage or information about the fleeing vehicle.

📄 Source: Washington State Patrol https://wsp.wa.gov/
Checked against the public record26 of 27 claims · 96%

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

  • The Washington State Patrol has authorized state fire assistance for the Ryegrass Coulee FireWashington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 8, 2026, at 7:45 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief William Rose, Kittitas County Fire District 4.
  • The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is in Kittitas CountyState fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Ryegrass Coulee Fire located in Kittitas County, near Vantage.
  • The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is near VantageState fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Ryegrass Coulee Fire located in Kittitas County, near Vantage.
  • The Ryegrass Coulee Fire was reported on July 8, 2026The Ryegrass Coulee Fire started on July 8, 2026, at approximately 4:51 p.m.
  • The Ryegrass Coulee Fire began on July 8 at 4:51 p.m.The Ryegrass Coulee Fire started on July 8, 2026, at approximately 4:51 p.m.
  • The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is estimated at 600 acresThis fire is estimated at 600 acres and growing.
  • The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is growingThis fire is estimated at 600 acres and growing.
  • The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is threatening homesIt is burning in grass, brush, and timber and is threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage.
  • The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is threatening power infrastructureIt is burning in grass, brush, and timber and is threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage.
  • The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is threatening structures in the community of VantageIt is burning in grass, brush, and timber and is threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage.
  • Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations are in effectLevel 2 and Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time.
  • State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are coordinating the dispatch of two wildland strike teamsnull
  • State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are coordinating the dispatch of air resourcesState Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route and working remotely to coordinate the dispatch of resources.
  • State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are aiding in containment effortsState Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route and working remotely to coordinate the dispatch of resources.
  • The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire.
  • The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is in partial activationThe State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire.
  • The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is helping coordinate state assistanceThe State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire.
  • The cause of the Ryegrass Coulee Fire is currently under investigationThe fire cause is currently under investigation.
  • The Washington State Patrol is seeking witnesses to an injury hit-and-run collisionWSP seeking witnesses to an injury hit-and-run collision — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 21:06:57 +0000 July 7, 2026 MILL CREEK, Wash. – The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is actively investigating an injury hit-and-run collision that occurred at 1:56 a.m. on June 25, 2026, on westbound State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE.
  • The injury hit-and-run collision occurred on June 25, 2026July 7, 2026 MILL CREEK, Wash. – The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is actively investigating an injury hit-and-run collision that occurred at 1:56 a.m. on June 25, 2026, on westbound State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE.
  • The injury hit-and-run collision occurred on State Route 96A silver/grey late 90s, early 2000s Chevrolet Tahoe style vehicle with an unknown license plate was westbound on State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE.
  • The injury hit-and-run collision occurred near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SEA silver/grey late 90s, early 2000s Chevrolet Tahoe style vehicle with an unknown license plate was westbound on State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE.
  • A silver/grey late 90s, early 2000s Chevrolet Tahoe style vehicle struck a pedestrianA silver/grey late 90s, early 2000s Chevrolet Tahoe style vehicle with an unknown license plate was westbound on State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE. A pedestrian was walking in the westbound lane in the same area. The unknown vehicle struck the pedestrian and fled the collision scene.
  • The vehicle struck a pedestrian and fled the sceneA silver/grey late 90s, early 2000s Chevrolet Tahoe style vehicle with an unknown license plate was westbound on State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE. A pedestrian was walking in the westbound lane in the same area. The unknown vehicle struck the pedestrian and fled the collision scene.
  • The vehicle is missing the passenger side marker lightAs a result of the collision, the vehicle is missing the passenger side marker light.
  • Detectives are asking for witnesses with dash camera footageA witness described the driver as a white male, approximately 40-50s, with a younger looking female passenger. Camera footage captured the unknown vehicle that was involved in the hit-and-run injury collision. As a result of the collision, the vehicle is missing the passenger side marker light. See screen shot below from camera footage. WSP Detective Nick Brockman is asking for witnesses of the collision, anyone with information on the fleeing vehicle, or anyone who was in the area at the time with a dash camera to call (360) 757-2008.
  • Detectives are asking for witnesses with information about the fleeing vehicleWSP Detective Nick Brockman is asking for witnesses of the collision, anyone with information on the fleeing vehicle, or anyone who was in the area at the time with a dash camera to call (360) 757-2008.

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