BREAKING: ‘Go Now’ Evacuation Ordered for Mabton as Colwash Fire Spreads
Colwash Fire Forces Major Evacuations Near Mabton, Washington
What Happened?
A fast-moving wildfire called the Colwash Fire broke out southwest of Mabton, Washington on Saturday morning. By Saturday night, the fire had grown to about 8,000 acres (that’s roughly 6,000 football fields!) and forced emergency officials to issue the highest-level evacuation order for a large area.
Important: This is a developing situation. Conditions can change quickly. Always follow instructions from local emergency officials.
Understanding Evacuation Levels (Simple Explanation)
Think of evacuation levels like a traffic light system:
| Level | Name | What It Means (ELI5) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | "Be Aware" | Green light – A fire is in your area. Stay alert. Pack a bag. Know your escape routes. |
| Level 2 | "Be Ready" | Yellow light – Danger is getting closer. Be packed and ready to leave at a moment’s notice. |
| Level 3 | "Go Now!" | Red light – Leave immediately! Danger is here or coming very fast. Do not wait. Do not gather belongings. Just go. |
Current Evacuation Orders (As of Saturday Night)
LEVEL 3 – "GO NOW" (Mandatory Evacuation)
Leave immediately! This area expanded Saturday night to cover:
- South from State Route 22 and Glade Road to the Klickitat County line
- East from Glade Road to the Benton County line
LEVEL 2 – "BE READY" (Prepare to Evacuate)
- North side of State Route 22 in the Mabton area
- Be packed. Keep your car fueled. Listen for updates.
LEVEL 1 – "BE AWARE" (Stay Alert)
- Everything east of Glade Road
- Stay informed. Have a plan.
Fire Details & Response Timeline
- 8:00 AM Saturday – Colwash Fire starts southwest of Mabton
- 5:00 PM Saturday – Washington State Patrol Chief John Baptiste authorizes state firefighting resources
- Saturday Evening – Five wildland strike teams (specialized firefighting crews) ordered to help
- Saturday Night – Fire estimated at 8,000 acres and growing
- Ongoing – Aircraft (planes/helicopters) and ground crews actively fighting the fire
- State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray (near Joint Base Lewis-McChord) at full activation to coordinate help
Power Outage in Grandview
- ~800 customers lost power Saturday afternoon due to "emergency de-energization" (the power company intentionally turned off electricity to prevent power lines from sparking more fires)
- Pacific Power crews monitored the situation on-site
- Power restored around 7:00 PM Saturday
IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDERS
- If you’re in a Level 3 zone: LEAVE NOW. Don’t wait to see the fire.
- Follow Yakima Valley Emergency Management on Facebook for real-time updates: facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM
- Don’t return home until officials say it’s safe.
- Keep pets, medications, important documents, and phones with you.
- Drive calmly – don’t block roads needed by fire trucks.
What to Do Right Now (Step-by-Step)
- Check your location – Are you in a Level 1, 2, or 3 zone? (See map descriptions above)
- If Level 3 – GO IMMEDIATELY. Grab your go-bag (or just your family/pets) and drive to safety.
- If Level 2 – FINISH PACKING. Load your car. Park facing the road. Keep keys handy.
- If Level 1 – STAY ALERT. Monitor Facebook, radio, or emergency alerts. Review your evacuation route.
- Tell someone where you’re going (family, friend, or shelter).
- Don’t call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency – lines must stay open for fire/rescue.
Summary
The Colwash Fire exploded to 8,000+ acres on Saturday, prompting a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation for a large area south of Mabton between the Klickitat and Benton county lines. Level 2 and 1 orders cover surrounding zones. Five state strike teams, aircraft, and local crews are fighting the fire. The State Emergency Operations Center is fully activated. A brief power outage affected ~800 Grandview customers but was restored by evening. Stay informed via Yakima Valley Emergency Management on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does "8,000 acres" actually look like?
About 6,000 football fields or 12.5 square miles. It’s a very large fire.
What is a "wildland strike team"?
A pre-organized group of fire engines and firefighters (usually 5 engines + a leader) trained specifically for wildfires. They can deploy quickly anywhere in the state.
What is "emergency de-energization"?
The power company intentionally shuts off electricity in fire-prone areas to prevent downed power lines from starting new fires. It’s a safety precaution.
Where do I go if I evacuate?
Go to a safe location outside the evacuation zone – a friend/family member’s home, a hotel, or an official shelter. Check the Yakima Valley Emergency Management Facebook page for shelter locations.
When can I go home?
Only when officials lift the evacuation order for your specific area. Even if the fire looks far away, dangers like hot spots, falling trees, and damaged utilities remain.
Stay safe. Listen to local authorities. Help neighbors if you can.