The Okanogan Wire
Public Safety

State Fire Mobilization for Ryegrass Coulee Fire

🔊 Listen · narrated by Aiden

State fire assistance has been mobilized to support local firefighters containing 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 started on July 8 at 4:51 p.m., is estimated at 600 acres and is burning in grass, brush, and timber. It threatens homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage. Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations are currently in effect. The fire cause is under investigation.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to coordinate state assistance. Mobilization specialists ordered two wildland strike teams and air resources to aid in containment efforts. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are coordinating resource dispatch both on-site and remotely.

📄 Source: Washington State Patrol https://wsp.wa.gov/
Checked against the public record22 of 25 claims · 88%

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

  • State fire assistance has been mobilized to support local firefightersState 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 mobilization is for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire in Kittitas CountyState Fire Mobilization Authorized for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:43:11 +0000 July 8, 2026 Kittitas County – State 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 mobilization 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.
  • Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilizationWashington 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 mobilization was on July 8, 2026Washington 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 mobilization was at 7:45 p.m.Washington 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 mobilization was at the request of Fire Chief William RoseWashington 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.
  • Fire Chief William Rose is of Kittitas County Fire District 4Fire Chief William Rose, Kittitas County Fire District 4.
  • The fire started on July 8The Ryegrass Coulee Fire started on July 8, 2026, at approximately 4:51 p.m.
  • The fire started at 4:51 p.m.The Ryegrass Coulee Fire started on July 8, 2026, at approximately 4:51 p.m.
  • The fire is estimated at 600 acresThis fire is estimated at 600 acres and growing.
  • The fire is burning in grass, brush, and timberIt is burning in grass, brush, and timber and is threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage.
  • The fire threatens homesIt is burning in grass, brush, and timber and is threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage.
  • The fire threatens power infrastructureIt is burning in grass, brush, and timber and is threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage.
  • The fire threatens 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 currently in effectLevel 2 and Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time.
  • The fire cause is under investigationThe fire cause is currently under investigation.
  • The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activatedThe 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 activation is to Level 2null
  • The activation is partialnull
  • The activation is for coordination of state assistancenull
  • Mobilization specialists ordered two wildland strike teamsMobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered two wildland strike teams and air resources to aid in containment efforts.
  • Mobilization specialists ordered air resources to aid in containment effortsMobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered two wildland strike teams and air resources to aid in containment efforts.
  • State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are coordinating resource dispatchState 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 coordinating resource dispatch both on-site and remotelyState Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route and working remotely to coordinate the dispatch of resources.

The Okanogan Wire is free. Get Okanogan–Omak's news delivered every morning.