Wildfire — Kittitas Valley, Washington

2017-08-24 · Kittitas Valley, Washington

Event narrative

Smoke from a fire on Ryegrass Summit in eastern Kittitas county affected Interstate 90. The fire's smoke caused a multi-vehicle collision that resulted the death of one individual and injuries to seven other individuals. The highway was closed for at least an hour and a half. The fire itself burned around 100 acres along and near the highway.

Wider weather episode

A fire started in the grass covered median between the east-west bound lanes of Interstate 90 as it passes over Ryegrass Summit, then spread beyond the median. Smoke from the fire caused a multi-vehicle collision.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 717749. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.