UPDATE: Cow Canyon Fire Now 80 Percent Contained

Update: August 11, 2022 at 1:00 a.m.

The Cow Canyon fire south of Ellensburg is now 80 percent contained, having double from 40 percent over the last two days.

Fire activity is described as minimal, with personnel now concentrating on mop-up efforts and patrolling for hotspots.

It still covers about 5,800 acres, and is projected to be fully contained by Monday, August 15.

The Cow Canyon Fire was first reported last Wednesday August 3.

It’s still being handled by a Washington Department of Natural Resources Type 3 Incident Management Team.

There are 159 personnel still on scene.

Update: August 10, 2022 at 1:00 a.m.

Containment of the Cow Canyon Fire is now at 60 percent, up from 40 percent over the past day. 

Crews say fire behavior is limited to smoldering stumps and logs, with a slight potential for flare ups if thunderstorms pass through. 

They say they'll continue with mop-up activities as well as securing and reinforcing fire lines. 

The Cow Canyon Fire still covers 5,832 acres. It's expected to be fully contained by Monday morning at midnight. 

It was first discovered a week ago today on Wednesday August 3rd at about 2:45pm. 

There are currently 262 personnel working on the fire, which includes the use of hand crews as well as fire engines, bull dozers, airplanes and a helicopter.

Update: August 8, 2022 at 11:00 p.m.

The Cow Canyon Fire south of Ellensburg is 40 percent contained and is burning 5,832 acres.

It's being handled by a Type 2 response team, which reports there are numerous smoldering stumps and logs as well as creeping in areas where grass, brush and trees have not been burned.

Firefighters plan to reinforce fire lines and continue mop-up efforts, and are preparing for a possible increase in fire activity from higher temperatures and lower humidity.

Open flames may crop up in unburned areas as well as stump holes, and large down logs.

The Cow Canyon Fire is projected to be fully contained by next Monday morning, August 15, at midnight.

It was first spotted last Wednesday, August 3, at 2:45pm.

Currently, 388 personnel are working the fire. It's cause is still under investigation.

Update: August 7, 2022 at 11:00 p.m.

The fire is now 30 percent contained and has grown to 5,746 acres.

Firefighters report numerous smoldering stumps and logs. Plans include the continued reinforcement of firelines and mop-up of the fire.

Personnel have noted that fire behavior may potentially increase because to higher temperatures and low humidity Monday.

Still, there's an estimate for the fire to be contained by midnight Thursday August 11.

Update: August 7, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.

The fire is now 20% contained.

Yakima and Kittitas counties also dropped their evacuation notice down to Level 1.

Original: August 6, 2022 at 1:55 p.m.

The Cow Canyon Fire south of Ellensburg has burned through 4,633 acres as of August 6, with 15% currently contained. 

The Cow Canyon fire began on August 3 and has a Level 3 evacuation notice for both Yakima and Kittitas counties.

Both the Cow Canyon fire and the Vantage Highway Fire are under the management of a Type 2 incident management team as of August 5.

On Friday afternoon, the direction of the fire changed, with winds coming from the east and burning towards the west.

The Northwest Incident Management Team 12 will continue working on the north flank of the fire, with aircrafts dropping more water and fire retardant. They are looking for any spot fires that may flare-up, especially near the drainage of North Fork.

Team 12 will be hosting a virtual community meeting on August 6 at 5 p.m. on the Central Washington Fire Information Facebook page to discuss more.