A fast-moving wildfire ignited near the Vantage Bridge along the Columbia River in Kittitas County on Wednesday afternoon, July 8, 2026, forcing the evacuation of the entire community of Vantage and closing Interstate 90 in both directions. The Ryegrass Coulee Fire grew to approximately 800 acres by late evening and was 10% contained as of Wednesday night.

Rapid Spread Triggers Level 3 Evacuations

The fire was reported shortly before 5:00 p.m. and spread quickly through dry grass and brush west of town near Vantage Highway. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 3 Go Now evacuation order covering the entire town of Vantage — population 54 — and deputies went door to door helping residents evacuate. At least one home was destroyed.

"Firefighting activity happened throughout the town," the sheriff's office said in a statement. Washington State officials ordered two wildland strike teams and air resources to assist with initial attack and containment efforts.

Evacuations Reduced Overnight

As fire crews made progress late Wednesday night, the Level 3 Go Now order was reduced to a Level 2 Be Ready, allowing residents to return home with caution.

"Anyone who returns to Vantage is urged to be cautious and stay away from any down lines," the sheriff's office advised. "Some areas of town will be without power for at least part of the night."

The fire appears to be human-caused, according to investigators, though no further details have been released.

I-90 Closure Causes Major Traffic Disruption

The closure of Interstate 90 at the Vantage Bridge — a critical Columbia River crossing and the only I-90 route between Seattle and Eastern Washington — snarled traffic for hours. Drivers were urged to seek alternate routes via Highway 2 over Stevens Pass or Highway 12 over White Pass. Washington State Department of Transportation provided real-time updates as crews worked to clear conditions.

Vantage sits approximately 10 miles south of The Gorge Amphitheatre, a major concert venue, though no events were scheduled during the incident.

Ongoing Fire Activity East of the Cascades

The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is the latest in a string of wildfires burning in Central and Eastern Washington under active Red Flag Warning conditions. Hot, dry, and windy weather with relative humidity dropping to 10-20% and wind gusts near 35 mph have created rapid-spread conditions that firefighters described as particularly challenging.

  • Fire name: Ryegrass Coulee Fire
  • Location: Near Vantage Bridge, Kittitas County, WA
  • Size: Approximately 800 acres
  • Containment: 10% as of late July 8
  • Cause: Human-caused (under investigation)
  • Resources: Two wildland strike teams plus air resources assigned

Residents in Central and Eastern Washington are urged to monitor local emergency management channels and have go-bags ready as fire danger remains critically elevated.