Firefighters unite to battle Red Bridge Fire near Cle Elum, 44 acres consumed so far

Firefighters continue to combat the Red Bridge Fire, which has burned roughly 44 acres near Cle Elum, Washington. The blaze is fueled by dry timber, grasses, and gusty winds, prompting damage to a home and a cabin. Approximately 150 firefighters are actively engaged, deploying aircraft to assist ground crews in their efforts. Incident commander Larry Leach indicated that flames soared as high as nine feet due to the unseasonably dry conditions. Fire officials suspect human activity sparked the fire, as no lightning occurred in the region recently.

Despite the challenging weather, crews are making progress in securing the perimeter. Authorities plan to scale back the response team by the weekend if conditions improve. The situation underscores the ongoing risk of wildfires in Washington state during dry months.