Cle Elum Volunteer Fire Department

10/17/2026

TRAFFIC / PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE – DOWNTOWN CLE ELUM

Update 10/17/2026 15:33: Fire has been extinguished, traffic control in area by CEPD and KCSO. Please respect the fire line and stay clear of the firefighters and vehicle. No injuries have been reported.

At approximately 15:11, the Cle Elum Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle fire in downtown Cle Elum.

Please avoid the area while emergency crews work to safely extinguish the fire and clear the scene. Your cooperation helps keep our firefighters, responders, and community members safe.

We will provide updates as needed.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

10/17/2026

MEDICATION TAKE BACK IS HAPPENING TODAY! 💊

The Cle Elum Fire Department is at the Cle Elum Senior Center until 2:00 PM today for Medication Take Back!

We’re proud to team up with our community partners:
🚒 Kittitas County Fire Protection District 6
💙 HopeSource
💙 Comprehensive Healthcare
💙 Peers Rising
🚔 Cle Elum-Roslyn Police Department

Have unused or expired medications at home? Today is a great opportunity to safely dispose of them and help keep our community safe!

Stop by, say hello, and take a step toward a safer, healthier community. We’re here until 2 PM!

Cle Elum Strong! ❤️💙

10/15/2026

READY TO JOIN THE TEAM?

Visit our website to learn more and download your volunteer membership application!

🚒 https://www.cleelumfire.com/join-the-team

You can also stop by the station at 301 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Cle Elum, or call 509-674-1748 to learn more about becoming part of the team.

❤️💛 Not all heroes wear a cape. Some wear turnouts.

Cle Elum Strong. Community. Service. Teamwork. 🚒

10/15/2026

❤️ A BIG THANK YOU FROM CLE ELUM FIRE DEPARTMENT! 🚒

A heartfelt thank you to the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection for their generous donation of meals to the Cle Elum Fire Department!

Our firefighters and EMTs are always grateful for the support of our community. Whether we're responding to calls, training, or juggling our everyday lives as volunteers, a good meal and the thoughtfulness behind it mean so much.

We are fortunate to live in a community where people look out for one another, and this is a wonderful example of that spirit in action. Thank you for thinking of our crew and helping take care of those who serve our community!

Together, we are Cle Elum Strong! ❤️🚒

10/09/2026

🔥 Fire Prevention Week 2026: "Charge into Fire Safety!" ⚡

As technology evolves, so do our household electronics—from smartphones and laptops to e-bikes, scooters, and electric vehicles! This Fire Prevention Week, the Cle Elum Fire Department is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to focus on lithium-ion battery and device charging safety.

Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we rely on daily, but when damaged or improperly charged, they can pose a serious fire hazard.

Follow these simple steps to Charge Safely at Home:

1️⃣ BUY & INSTALL SAFELY

Use only listed, certified charging stations and devices (look for labels like UL or Intertek).

Always follow manufacturer instructions for charging e-bikes, EVs, and personal electronics.

2️⃣ TEST & MONITOR

Test your home’s GFCIs and outlets regularly.

Never charge devices under pillows, on beds, or near flammable materials. Charge on hard, flat surfaces.

3️⃣ INSPECT & REPLACE

Inspect power cords, block chargers, and batteries routinely.

Replace swollen, damaged, or fraying charging equipment immediately. Recycle old lithium-ion batteries safely—never throw them in household trash!

For more safety resources and tips, visit fpw.org or reach out to us at the station.

10/05/2026

Cle Elum Fire Department had a great time at the Little League football games on Saturday! 🏈

We were happy to be there providing standby coverage at Centennial Field from 9:00AM - 4:00PM —and even happier to cheer on our Jr. Warriors! 💙

There were a few bumps and bruises along the way, as is sometimes expected in football. Our friends from Medic One also came out to check on one player who was ultimately cleared and able to continue on.

But one of our favorite parts of the day was watching the sportsmanship displayed by our hometown kiddos. Win or lose, these young athletes showed us what teamwork, encouragement, and good sportsmanship are all about. We couldn't be prouder! 👏

Regardless of age, we’re wishing all of our football players and cheerleaders a fun, safe, and successful season! 🏈📣

💧 A quick reminder for players, coaches, and families:
Drink plenty of water, keep those electrolytes coming, and listen to your body. If you’re feeling sick, dizzy, lightheaded, or just not quite right, let your coach know and take a break. There’s no shame in taking a breather!

Have fun, stay safe, and Go Warriors! 💙🏈📣

— Your friends at the Cle Elum Fire Department 🚒

09/29/2026

Kittitas County Burn Ban to end September 30, 2026

The Kittitas County Fire Marshal will lift the countywide fire safety burn ban at noon on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

What Changes
• Recreational and Open Burning: Allowed starting September 30 at noon.
• Statewide Coordination: The county lift coincides with the expiration of the Washington state burn ban.
• Cities Included: Restrictions end at noon on Sept. 30 for Cle Elum, Roslyn, Kittitas, and South Cle Elum.

General Rules to Follow
• Prohibited: Burning garbage, trash, or construction debris remains illegal at all times.
• Wind Limits: Open burning is prohibited when sustained winds or gusts exceed 10 miles per hour.
• Attendance: All outdoor fires must be constantly watched by an adult until fully extinguished, with water or proper equipment nearby

For more information on burn bans in Kittitas County please visit: https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/firemarshal/burn-ban.aspx

Kittitas County Burn Ban to end September 30

Kittitas County Fire Marshal Dan Young announced that the county’s burn ban will be lifted at noon on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, when the Governor’s statewide burn ban ends.

Kittitas County bases its burn ban decisions on fire conditions, not a fixed calendar date. The Fire Marshal and local stakeholders use agreed-upon measures that include the moisture content of wildfire fuels, current and forecast weather, and relative humidity. Those measures now support lifting the county restriction on recreational fires and open burning.

Conditions improved before the statewide ban was scheduled to end. The county kept its ban in place until noon September 30 so residents would receive one clear message about when burning could resume under both county and state restrictions.

Lifting the ban does not eliminate the risk of a fire spreading. Keep fires away from combustible material, have water or other extinguishing equipment ready, and attend your fire until it is completely out. Do not burn garbage or construction debris. Open burning is prohibited when winds or gusts exceed 10 mph unless prior approval has been obtained.

The cities of Cle Elum, Roslyn, and Kittitas, and the town of South Cle Elum, will also allow recreational fires beginning at noon September 30.

Rules on public lands may differ. For questions about burning on lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources, call 509-925-8510; on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands, call 360-902-2515; and on U.S. Forest Service lands, call 509-852-1100.

For questions about burning in unincorporated Kittitas County, contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 509-962-7000.

09/20/2026

Suppression Repair | Taking Care of the Landscape

This photo just came in from the Goat Fire showing some of the work happening across the landscape as firefighters continue working toward Leader’s Intent: leave this area in the best shape we can.

Part of that work is protecting local streams and fisheries by reducing erosion and helping prevent sediment from entering waterways. We recently shared photos of a culvert replacement on Forest Service Road 4918. Yesterday, firefighters were back at it on Forest Service Road 4330, where Parma E-33 and E-413 worked to clear a clogged culvert.

This is the kind of work that becomes increasingly important as suppression operations wind down. Crews are repairing roads, improving drainage and addressing impacts from fire suppression while preparing for the next phase of incident management.

There are still firefighters, engines and heavy equipment working throughout the fire area as Northwest Team 2 prepares to transfer command to a smaller incident management team tomorrow evening.

If you’re traveling in the area, please slow down and give them room to work. Mountain roads can be narrow with limited visibility, and firefighters or equipment may be working just around the next corner.

Thank you for driving carefully and helping us safely complete these final missions.

⚠️ Know Before You Go: Check current closures before heading into the forest and respect all Road Closed signs.

📷 Photo Credit: Task Force Leader Trainee TFLD(t) Kate Page

Quick Facts – Sunday, September 20, 2026

Three Queens: 9,566 acres | 23% contained
King: 3,314 acres | 0% contained
Goat: 815 acres | 80% contained
Total Personnel: 458

Three Queens Fire Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 509-213-5294
Daily: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
InciWeb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/waowf-three-queens

U.S. Forest Service - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
BLM Oregon & Washington
NW2 CIMT

09/19/2026

As of today, Friday September 18th, the updated Three Queens Fire Closure Order 06-17-03-2026-44 decreases this closure area, as containment of the Three Queens Fire has increased to 23%. This provides more access to the High Buck Hunt, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and other recreational opportunities on the Cle Elum Ranger District.

This includes access to the section of the PCT from Snoqualmie Pass to the Kendall Katwalk. The trail beyond Ridge and Gravel Lakes remains closed.

Hwy 903 and the Fish Lake Road (FS Rd. 4330) are now both open, as well as all trails and roads to the east of these roads. The North Fork Teanaway Road is also now fully accessible.

Speelyi Beach on the south end of Lake Cle Elum is also open. Please note that all concession run campgrounds on the Cle Elum Ranger District are now closed for the season.

No areas within the Three Queens, King and Goat Fire perimeters are open due to hazards such as burned trees, holes due to burned roots below the ground surface and the potential for debris flows. Crews are still working within the remaining area closure order to repair fire suppression features such as dozer and hand lines, remove logs and woody debris and repair roads. Please help keep firefighters safe and expediate this work by staying out of these areas.

Enjoy the areas that are now open and have a wonderful weekend!

Current Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest closure orders can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/alerts

Please check the Kittitas County Emergency Management evacuation information at tinyurl.com/ThreeQueensEvacuations or at facebook.com/KittitasCountySheriff as conditions change.

Photo: Speelyi Beach on the south end of Lake Cle Elum. USDA Forest Service

09/18/2026

Photo of the Day | Quick Facts – Friday, September 18, 2026

Three Queens: 9,562 acres, 23% containment
King: 3,304 acres, 0% containment
Goat: 815 acres, 70% containment
Total Personnel: 458

Good morning from the Three Queens, King and Goat Fires.

NW2 CIMT’s Jonathan Toll took this photo on September 9 while checking on equipment firefighters had set up to help protect the Cooper Lake Cabins on Division Alpha. We’re sharing it with you today because it’s a good reminder of the work—and traffic—that continues across the fire area.

With the weekend here, hunting season underway and people heading out for fall excursions, more vehicles will be sharing these roads. At the same time, fire personnel are still finishing the job—backhauling equipment, pulling miles of hoselay, chipping woody debris and completing suppression repair.

You may encounter firefighters, engines, heavy equipment, signs and flagging even in areas where there is little or no visible smoke. Please slow down, give crews room to work and drive carefully. We’ve asked our fire personnel to do the same.

Thank you for helping everyone get where they’re going safely this weekend.

📷 Photo: Jonathan Toll, NW Team 2

Three Queens Fire Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 509-213-5294
Daily: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
InciWeb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/waowf-three-queens

Kittitas County Sheriff
U.S. Forest Service - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
NW2 CIMT