Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

Colwash Fire
Incident Commander: Leonard Johnson
Fire Phone: 509-287-8562

FINAL UPDATE: Aug. 26, 2026

Estimated Size: 39,073
Containment: 95%
Start Date/Time: 08/22/2026 approx. 7:45 a.m.
Area of Fire: Fire is in the southeast corner of Yakima County, from the Klickitat County line and into Benton County to the east.
Cause: Lightning
Structures Damaged: 1 damaged, 1 destroyed, 3 secondary structures destroyed
Injuries: No injuries reported

Update: All fire crews are being released from the Colwash Fire this morning. Management of the fire is being turned back to the respective local fire agencies and the Yakama Nation. The Southeast Washington Incident Management Team thanks the community for their support of the fire crews and their hospitality while the team was here.

Smoke: You can expect to see some smoke in the area of the fire; this is normal. If you see large columns of smoke outside of the fire area, please call 911. Air quality is expected to remain good. For smoke information specific to a particular location, visit the Washington Smoke Blog.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures will be in the 90s and dry today. Please use extreme caution as fire danger remains extremely high.

Resources: All resources have been released.

08/26/2026

Colwash Fire
Incident Commander: Leonard Johnson
Fire Phone: 509-287-8562

UPDATE: Aug. 25, 2026 - PM Release

Estimated Size: 39,073
Containment: 95%
Start Date/Time: 08/22/2026 approx. 7:45 a.m.
Area of Fire: Fire is burning in in the southeast corner of Yakima County, from the Klickitat County line and into Benton County to the east.
Cause: Lightning
Structures Damaged: 1 damaged, 1 destroyed, 3 secondary structures destroyed
Injuries: No injuries reported

Update: All evacuation orders related to the Colwash Fire in Yakima and Benton counties were lifted at noon Tuesday, August 25.

Fire crews continued work throughout the day validating and strengthening containment lines around the perimeter of the fire line. Mop-up operations and patrol on the fire’s edge and around structures were completed today in preparation to return the fire to local fire districts and the Yakama Nation. Areas of concern were reevaluated to help ensure the fire remains secure and within the established perimeter.

Crews also began suppression repair work on portions of the fire, including installing water bars to reduce erosion and protect natural resources.

There will be no resources on the fire overnight.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures will cool overnight with light winds.

Smoke: Air quality is expected to remain good. For smoke information specific to a particular location, visit the Washington Smoke Blog.

Resources: Five strike teams and three hand crews.

08/26/2026

Our firefighters work hard but also get to take pleasure in crossing paths with critters on the landscape.

08/25/2026

Benton County lifted all evacuation levels around the Colwash Fire area.

08/25/2026

Yakima County has lifted all evacuations around the Colwash Fire.

08/25/2026

Colwash Fire
Incident Commander: Leonard Johnson
Fire Phone: 509-287-8562

UPDATE: Aug. 25, 2026 - AM Release

Estimated Size: 39,073
Containment: 48%
Start Date/Time: 08/22/2026 approx. 7:45 a.m.
Area of Fire: Fire is burning in in the southeast corner of Yakima County, from the Klickitat County line and into Benton County to the east.
Cause: Lightning
Structures Damaged: 1 damaged, 1 destroyed, 3 secondary structures destroyed
Injuries: No injuries reported

Update: Overnight crews continued working the perimeter of the fire, visually assessing the line and using the benefit of cooler temperatures to cool remaining hot spots. The night crews will be released today. Throughout today, crews will continue to mop-up and patrol containment lines. Work around structures has been completed, and evacuation levels continue to be reduced allowing local residences to re-enter.

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) around and over the fire was released last night. The incident does not have scheduled aviation operations today, but all are reminded that aircraft can be used at any time if needed, so please do not unnecessarily operate drones and unmanned aircraft within the fire area.

Smoke may be seen rising from the interior of the fire today. This is expected as several areas continue to have smolder piles of materials near agricultural or farming operations. These are located on the interior of the fire and crews are monitoring them.

Evacuations: Level 1 evacuations -– Be ready -- remain in effect for the fire area. Residents should be alert and cautious of fire personnel. If the weather changes and fire activity increases, these levels may change.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures today are expected to be in the high 90s with light wind.

Smoke: Air quality is expected to remain good. For smoke information specific to a particular location, visit the Washington Smoke Blog.

Resources: Five strike teams and three hand crews.

08/25/2026

Colwash Fire
Incident Commander: Leonard Johnson
Fire Phone: 509-287-8562

UPDATE: Aug. 24, 2026 - PM Release

Estimated Size: 38,599
Containment: 48%
Start Date/Time: 08/22/2026 approx. 7:45 a.m.
Area of Fire: Fire is burning in in the southeast corner of Yakima County, from the Klickitat County line and into Benton County to the east.
Cause: Lightning
Structures Damaged: 1 damaged, 1 destroyed
Injuries: No injuries reported

Update: Crews worked Monday to strengthen fire lines around the fire and address a couple hot spots on the interior, with mop-up happening in many areas. The fire footprint did not grow today. Overnight crews will take advantage of cooler temperatures to further enhance the lines.

Evacuation Levels:
Level 3 means Go Now
Level 2 means Be Set
Level 1 means Be ready

Benton County:
All Level 2 evacuations in Benton County are reduced to Level 1. This includes from the Yakima County line, south of State Route 22, south and west of SR 221, and north of Sellards Road.

Yakima County:
Level 2 evacuations are reduced to Level 1 in Yakima County. This includes the area south of Hwy 22 and west of Glade Road, south to the Klickitat County line.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Weather tonight is expected to cool with light winds. Temperatures Tuesday are expected to be in the low 90s.

Smoke: Air quality is expected to remain good.
Air Space Restrictions: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place around the fire area. Any unaccounted-for aircraft, including drones, puts aerial firefighting resources and lives at risk. If you fly, we can’t. All firefighting aircraft must be grounded if unmanned aircraft or drones are operating near the fire.
Violations of the TFR, whether a manned or unmanned craft, can result in severe civil penalties, mandatory pilot license suspension or revocation and potential criminal prosecution.

Resources: Seven strike teams and a number of hand crews are supported by air resources on the fire.

08/24/2026

Colwash Fire
Incident Commander: Leonard Johnson
Fire Phone: 509-287-8562

UPDATE: Aug. 24, 2026 - AM Release

Estimated Size: 38,599
Containment: 8%
Start Date/Time: 08/22/2026 approx. 7:45 a.m.
Area of Fire: Fire is burning in in the southeast corner of Yakima County, from the Klickitat County line and into Benton County to the east.
Cause: Lightning
Structures Damaged: 1 damaged, 1 destroyed
Injuries: No injuries reported

Update: Significant gains were made on all areas of the fire Sunday and overnight as winds remained relatively calm and temperatures cooled overnight. Today, crews will strengthen lines to ensure they will hold on the western edges, where the fire has been most active. A couple hot spots on the interior of the fire will continue to be monitored and work done, as needed, in collaboration with landowners.

Evacuation Levels:
Level 3 means Go Now
Level 2 means Be Set
Level 1 means Be ready

Benton County:
All Level 3 evacuations in Benton County are reduced to Level 2. This includes from the Yakima County line, south of State Route 22, south and west of SR 221, and north of Sellards Road.

The Red Cross shelter at Prosser High School is available as needed.

Yakima County:
Level 3 evacuations are reduced to Level 2 in Yakima County. This includes the area south of Hwy 22 and west of Glade Road, south to the Klickitat County line.

Areas in Yakima County currently in Level 2 and Level 1 will remain the same.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Hot temperatures and low relative humidity are expected today, which could lead to increased fire behavior.

Smoke: Air quality is expected to remain good through Monday.
Air Space Restrictions: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place around the fire area. Any unaccounted-for aircraft, including drones, puts aerial firefighting resources and lives at risk. If you fly, we can’t. All firefighting aircraft must be grounded if unmanned aircraft or drones are operating near the fire.
Violations of the TFR, whether a manned or unmanned craft, can result in severe civil penalties, mandatory pilot license suspension or revocation and potential criminal prosecution.

Resources: Seven strike teams and a number of hand crews are supported by air resources on the fire.

08/24/2026

Colwash Fire
Incident Commander: Leonard Johnson
Fire Number: 509-287-8562

UPDATE: Aug. 23, 2026 - PM Release

Estimated Size: 38,599
Containment: 8%
Start Date/Time: 08/22/2026 approx. 7:45 a.m.
Area of Fire: Fire is burning in in the southeast corner of Yakima County, from the Klickitat County line and into Benton County to the east.
Cause: Natural – Under investigation
Structures Damaged: This is being evaluated.
Injuries: No injuries reported

Update: Fire behavior Sunday allowed for progress on the fire after an active Saturday night. Supported by air resources, crews were able to address active areas on the east ends of both fingers of the fire in Benton County. The southern finger of the fire along Wandling Road continuing to move uphill Sunday afternoon but forward progression was stopped.

Additional strike teams and hand crews arrived Sunday to relieve local crews, many of whom had been on the fire since it began. This allows local crews to return to their home agencies to provide local fire coverage outside of the Colwash Fire area.

Two strike teams will continue the work overnight and into Monday. More resources are expected Monday.

Evacuation Levels:
Level 3 means Go Now
Level 2 means Be Set
Level 1 means Be ready

Benton County:
All Level 3 evacuations in Benton County are reduced to Level 2. This includes from the Yakima County line, south of State Route 22, south and west of SR 221, and north of Sellards Road.

The Red Cross shelter at Prosser High School is available as needed.

Yakima County:
Level 3 evacuations are reduced to Level 2 in Yakima County. This includes the area south of Hwy 22 and west of Glade Road, south to the Klickitat County line.

Areas in Yakima County currently in Level 2 and Level 1 will remain the same.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures are expected to be cooler overnight, which will aid in suppression activities. This will be followed by higher temperatures, into the low 90s tomorrow.

Smoke: Air quality is expected to remain good through Monday.
Air Space Restrictions: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place around the fire area. Any unaccounted-for aircraft, including drones, puts aerial firefighting resources and lives at risk. If you fly, we can’t. All firefighting aircraft must be grounded if unmanned aircraft or drones are operating near the fire.

Resources: Seven strike teams and a number of hand crews are supported by air resources on the fire.