Central Washington Wildfire Erupts Overnight

A fast-growing brush fire near Vantage, Washington, grew to about 1,500 acres and was completely uncontained on July 10.

The Ryegrass Coulee Fire began late in the evening on July 9 and grew quickly overnight because of wind gusts as fast as 60 mph, according to KOMO News.

Paul Farr told Storyful he took the video as he drove down I-90 near Vantage, Washington, at 11:30 pm on July 9. Farr said the weather was dry and there was some lightning in the area. He described the look of the fire as “a hellish glow.” This video shows flames encroaching on I-90 as Farr drove down the road.

Vantage residents were evacuated on July 9, but the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office announced the afternoon of July 10 that an evacuation notice had been lowered and residents could return home with caution.

The Washington State Department of Transportation reopened Interstate 90 on July 10 after it was closed in both directions the day prior.

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office posted footage of windy conditions on July 10. Credit: Paul Farr via Storyful