Report date: September 21, 2020   Lewis County Division of Emergency Services reports:

Over the weekend, the Cold Creek Wildland Fire grew to 616 acres; however this morning it was reported that assigned crews have now contained 35% of the perimeter.

Currently, Highway 12 remains closed through the fire area; however, DOT has preliminary plans to open Highway 12 later on this evening.  The most current road information can be found at the WA Department of Transportation website:  https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/southcentral.

The Forest Service reports 50 residents are still under evacuation levels issued by the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management.  Orders to relax those will need to come from that office.  With this being continued as an active fire, citizens that need to check for updates can go to the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management website at www.co.yakim.wa.us for details.

Crews cleaned out areas north and west of the Sand Ridge Trail, clearing snags after a successful burnout operation Saturday night.  The low intensity applied fire removed a good portion of the fuel load between Hwy 12 and the main fire to the junction with the Sand Ridge trailhead.  Crews remain focused on both sides of Highway 12 in the area of Sand Ridge trail and Indian Creek.  The hottest part of the fire remains the northwest corner in the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area and pockets of unburned fuel throughout.  Helicopters were able to complete bucket work throughout the day Sunday settling down hot spots and assisting firefighters in attaining containment.

At this time, crews are estimating complete containment by October 15.