Colwash

Colwash Fire Report - August 25, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Colwash Fire ignited shortly before 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, near Mabton in the southeast corner of Yakima County, Washington, and has since spread east into Benton County.
Size and Containment: As of August 25, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 39,073 acres and is currently 8% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially reported as a 25- to 30-acre vegetation fire, the blaze exploded in size, ballooning to over 38,000 acres in just over 24 hours. The fire is primarily fueled by dry brush, grass, and sage. It has exhibited rapid, wind-driven runs across the landscape, exacerbated by high winds and low humidity.
Containment Efforts: State firefighting resources have been mobilized, including the deployment of multiple wildland strike teams. Favorable weather conditions on Sunday allowed firefighters to make some progress, particularly along Wandling Road in Benton County where crews arrived to work through the night. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area to protect air operations.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Level 3 "GO NOW" orders are in effect for several areas:

• Yakima County: The State Route 22 corridor from Glade Road to the Benton County line, including Byron Hill Road.
• Benton County: Areas east of the Yakima-Benton county line, south of State Route 22, south and west of State Route 221, and north of Sellards Road.

Evacuation Warnings:

• Level 2 "GET SET": Warnings are in effect for the north side of State Route 22 and areas south of the highway toward Glade Road and the Klickitat County line, as well as the Byron Unit of the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area.
• Level 1 "READY": A readiness notice is in place for areas east of Glade Road toward Mabton.

Evacuation Shelters and Information: The American Red Cross has established an evacuation shelter at Prosser High School, located at 1500 Paterson Road in Prosser, WA.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• The State Route 22 and State Route 221 corridors are heavily impacted by closures and evacuation traffic.
• US 12 is closed in both directions over White Pass due to the fire. Eastbound traffic is stopped 13 miles west of the summit near the junction of US 12 and SR 123, and westbound traffic is stopped at Oak Creek.
• Residents are advised to avoid non-essential travel in the fire area to allow firefighters and emergency personnel room to work.

For more information, visit:

• Yakima County Emergency Management
• Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Real-Time Travel Map
• Benton County Emergency Services

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no official reports of injuries or fatalities related to the Colwash Fire at this time.
Structures Impacted: The fire is actively burning and threatening homes, infrastructure, and cultural sites across Yakima and Benton counties.
Notable Impacts: The rapid spread of the fire has led to widespread evacuations and the disruption of major travel routes, heavily impacting the daily lives of residents in the Mabton and Prosser areas.

Safety Concerns:
Air Quality: Smoke and haze are increasing in the region, which may pose health risks, particularly for those with respiratory conditions. Residents are advised to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and use air purifiers if possible.
Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is strictly enforced over the fire area. Unauthorized drones are prohibited as they pose a severe risk to firefighting aircraft and can ground aerial suppression efforts.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire remains a significant threat with only 8% containment. While favorable weather allowed firefighters to make initial progress, the sheer size of the fire and the dry fuels present ongoing challenges. Crews will continue constructing firelines and protecting structures in the coming days.
Weather and Wind Warnings: The forecast for the Yakima County area calls for mostly sunny conditions with high temperatures in the upper 80s and low humidity (around 32-38%). These dry conditions, combined with gusty thermal winds, could continue to fuel active fire behavior and challenge containment efforts throughout the week.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The official cause of the Colwash Fire is currently under investigation, though investigators suspect that lightning sparked the blaze.
Weather and Climate: Extreme fire weather is playing a major role in the fire's rapid expansion. The region is experiencing high temperatures, very low humidity, and gusty winds. These critical fire weather conditions, combined with extremely dry vegetation following a hot summer and ongoing drought conditions in Washington state, have created an environment highly conducive to explosive, wind-driven wildfire spread.

For more information, visit:

• WFCA Fire Map - Colwash Fire Tracking
• KIRO 7 News - Washington Wildfire Updates
• IQAir - Colwash Fire Air Quality and Tracking