Kittitas Volunteer Fire Department

03/18/2024

It is that time of year again when many people clean their yard. Remember that only organic natural materials such as leaves, grass, or branches can be burned. Here are the burn regulations for your area:

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠/𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚: You must have a KVFR-issued permit that can be obtained online at kvfr.org. There is no cost for this permit, and it is valid for 90 days.
1. Recreational fire limited to 3’ X 3’ X 2’. Firewood or Charcoal briquettes only.

𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠/𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚: A permit is obtained by calling 509.933.7233 and listening to the message. You must leave your name, address, and phone number.
1. Organic Material limited to a 4’ X 4’ X 3’ pile. (No Construction material/Garbage)
2. Large Pile Burn (over 4’ X 4’X 3’). You MUST contact 509.933.7233 or 933-7235 to speak to a Chief to obtain permission.
3. Field Burns Less than 1 acre individually or cumulatively.
4. Organic material along fence lines or irrigation ditches.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐬: The City regulates burning inside the city limits. Call 509.986.0220 for information.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝:
- Burn barrels
- Non-organic material (garbage, plastics, tires)- including construction debris

𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲:
- Have enough water/equipment on site to extinguish any fire.
- Monitor the fire from ignition to extinguishment. Never leave the fire unattended.
- Have clearance from any combustible exposures (such as buildings).
- Ignition must occur without the use of flammable/combustible liquids.
- Monitor the wind and if it is blowing greater than 10 mph, consider not burning

If you have any questions, please call 509.933.7233 or 509.933.7231.

03/20/2019

PRESS RELEASE
3/19/2019

Kittitas County Deputy Killed in Line of Duty

On Tuesday, March 19, at approximately 7:37 p.m. the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a driving complaint in the Badger Pocket area of Kittitas County.

At 7:42 p.m., deputies attempted to stop a vehicle related to the driving complaint. The suspect failed to stop, resulting in a pursuit into the City of Kittitas.

The vehicle came to a stop at the end of Pierce Street in Kittitas. The suspect exited the vehicle and exchanged gunfire with a Kittitas County Sheriff’s Deputy and a Kittitas Police Officer. The deputy received a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at Kittitas Valley Hospital.

The Kittitas Police Officer suffered a gunshot wound and has been airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Additional responding officers arrived on scene. The suspect was also shot and is being treated at KVH.

The names and identities of the officers are not being released at this time until family notifications are completed.

We would like to thank Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue and all local area law enforcement for their response.

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s office requested the Ellensburg Police Department to conduct the investigation into the incident.

Any inquiries related to the incident can be directed to the Ellensburg Police Department, 509-962-7280.

We will announce the time and location of a press conference as soon as more information becomes available.

02/09/2019

We will update as conditions change.

08/30/2017

Level 3 evacuations now in some areas. Please be safe and stay out of the area.

Middle Fork and North Fork Teanaway area upgraded to Level 3 (GO NOW) Evacuation Notice (8-30-17)

The Kittitas County Emergency Operations Center has elevated evacuation levels in the Middle Fork Teanaway area to a Level 3 “GO NOW” due to increased activity of the Jolly Mountain Fire. The fire has now moved southeast over Yellow Hill.

The Sheriff’s Office is currently notifying residences in the Middle Fork Teanaway and North Fork Teanaway of this advisory. This encompasses all of Middle Fork Teanaway Road, Middle Fork Lane, Teanaway Triangle Road, Logan Road, Boondoggle Road, Sandy Ridge Road, Wagon Wheel Road, Spoke Lane, Hub Lane, North Fork Teanaway Road, Upland Road, Larch Road and North Fork Ranch Road.

There are now 154 primary and secondary residences in the Level 3 evacuation area.

Under the Level 3 notice, you are advised to leave now due to immediate fire danger. Load your family and pets into your vehicle and GO NOW. Residents need to be prepared for an extended evacuation period. Law enforcement officials advise there will be no further warnings.

Teanaway Road is now closed at the intersection of West Fork and North Fork Roads.

Residents needing to retrieve necessary items (animals, medicines, etc.) from the Level 3 evacuation area need to contact the EOC at (509) 933-8305 before going to the roadblock.

The Red Cross shelter will be open at the Putnam Centennial Center, 719 E. 3rd Street, Cle Elum, for any evacuees needing a place to stay. Anyone needing evacuation assistance for animals or livestock can call the EOC for animal shelter information.

For anyone considering recreation in the Teanaway area, please contact Forest Service before heading out, as the recent fire activity has prompted additional forest closures in the Cle Elum Ranger District. More information on these closures can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=42801.

Stay informed on evacuations and general fire information with the following resources:

Kittitas County Emergency Operations Center: (509) 933-8305
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kittitas-County-Sheriff- 580139428811803/
Jolly Mountain Fire Information: (509) 596-2423
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/news/5496//
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jollymountainfireinfo/

07/08/2017

A brush fire is burning on Interstate 90 at milepost 137 near the Vantage bridge. Trooper Brian Moore said the eastbound and westbound lanes are closed from exit115 in Kittitas to exit143 near Vantage. Emergency crews are working to put out the fire. (Photo from Trooper Brian Moore on Twitter)

06/28/2017

Firefighters responded to a 10-acre wildfire on Interstate 90 westbound near Elk Heights Road on Wednesday afternoon.

06/24/2017

Red flag warning coming up....

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for central Oregon and the Columbia Basin Sunday due to very unstable and dry conditions. Any fires that start will likely spread rapidly. The Fire Weather watch for central Oregon and the central Blue Mountains that was issued for Monday also remains in effect for potential fire starts associated with thunderstorms producing abundant lightning.