Local News

Fire crews are still struggling to contain an 8,840-acre blaze about 12 miles north of Ellensburg in Central Washington, called the Snag Canyon Fire. High winds and rising temperatures made for difficult conditions Friday, as crews worked to strengthen the line around the western and southern edges. A specialized crew used explosives to build a break in…

The Associated Press CLE ELUM, Kittitas County — Fire officials in Cle Elum say an explosion destroyed a home in that central Cascade foothills community, burning a woman who lived there. KOMO-TV reports that officials say it appears a propane tank exploded Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters pulled the woman out of the rubble. She was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle…

Two children were killed in a house fire Friday afternoon in Cle Elum. (Photo courtesy of Kittitas County Fire District No. 7)

Two young children died in an intense house fire this afternoon in Cle Elum despite the rescue efforts of their mother, police and firefighters.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., Kittitas County firefighters were called to a house on Third Street for a report of a house fire with two children inside, according to the Kittitas County Fire District No. 7.

When the distraught mother was forced to retreat from the fully engulfed home, she told police her two children were still inside.

The Associated Press ELLENSBURG — The Kittitas County sheriff’s office says a Cle Elum man was killed Wednesday morning in a farming accident involving a backhoe. The sheriff’s office says 37-year-old Shawn Tolbert may have placed a piece of metal on the foot pedal that operates a boom as he stepped outside. He was fatally injured when the…

The Associated Press ELLENSBURG – A cougar killed a small dog Wednesday night in Cle Elum when the owner let the dog outside. Washington State Fish and Wildlife Capt. Rich Mann told the Daily Record the cougar grabbed the dog and took off. Kittitas County sheriff’s deputies and State Patrol troopers responded but were unable to find any trace of…

The Associated Press OLYMPIA – Washington state has warned a construction company that it will be liable for property damages and firefighting costs if investigators determine its work started a wildfire northwest of Ellensburg. The Washington state Department of Transportation notified Conway Construction Co. by letter on Friday that its contract makes the company responsible for safety…

CLE ELUM, Kittitas County —  Firefighting officials say a stubborn wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes in central Washington has been completely contained after a two-week fight. Spokesmen for the Taylor Bridge fire announced full containment Tuesday evening. The blaze that started Aug. 13 east of Cle Elum has burned more than 36 square miles, or…

The Associated Press YAKIMA – Fire crews have a Washington wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes near Cle Elum 90 percent contained. Fire spokesman Glenn Kohler says fire crews expect to have the Taylor Bridge Fire fully contained on Friday. Kohler says crews dealt with rough terrain and winds gusting to 25 mph on Tuesday. The fire has…

Firefighters upgraded an emergency warning to residents  north of Highway 970 east of Cle Elum today, even as they said the Taylor Bridge Fire was 40 percent contained. Nearly 1,000 firefighters continued to battle the blaze, which remained dangerous in the face of “very hot, dry and unstable conditions” with temperatures of up to 100 degrees possible,…

Fire crews gather in Hidden Valley as the battle to contain the Taylor Bridge wildfire continued Thursday. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times) CLE ELUM — Firefighters battling the Taylor Bridge wildfire are facing a hotter day Thursday than Wednesday, with temperatures likely to reach 85 degrees on the ridges, 95 degrees in the valleys. “Winds…