Eastern and central Washington are in the grip of a significant wildfire outbreak this weekend, with three major fires burning simultaneously across the region and firefighters stretched thin amid dangerous weather conditions.

Tule Road Fire: Largest Blaze South of Yakima

The biggest fire in the state is the 4170 Tule Road Fire (also called the Tule Road Fire), which has burned approximately 24,090 acres south of Yakima, near the town of Toppenish. The fire started Sunday, June 14, and grew explosively in grass and brush with what the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center described as "extreme fire behavior with uphill and wind-driven runs."

At one point, the blaze burned to the edge of U.S. Highway 97, forcing the Washington Department of Transportation to temporarily close the highway between Goldendale and Toppenish. As of Saturday morning, the fire remains 0% contained. A Complex Incident Management Team (NW Team 2) has been assigned to the incident.

Kartar Fire: Two Fires Merge on Colville Reservation

In Okanogan County on the Colville Indian Reservation, the Kartar Fire has grown to 11,740 acres with 0% containment as of Friday evening. The fire actually began as two separate ignitions on June 16 — one in the Kartar Valley and one near Omak Lake — before wind-driven conditions pushed them together on the afternoon of June 17.

Incident Commander Andrew Steinbeck of the Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team (Team 3) is leading the response with 260 personnel. Crews have constructed a fire line and planned burnout operations to create protective black zones. Air resources include two scoopers, two Type 1 helicopters, and four hotshot crews working direct attack.

  • Location: Kartar Valley and Lake Omak, Colville Reservation
  • Cause: Under investigation
  • Estimated containment: June 30, 2026
  • Weather concerns: Possible wind gusts up to 30 mph through Saturday

Roza Fire: Nearing Containment

There is some good news from the Roza Fire burning 9 miles north of Selah, Washington, in Yakima County. That fire, which started June 16 from a human cause, has grown to 3,536 acres but is now 90% contained. Fire behavior has diminished to smoldering, and crews are focused on mop-up and patrol.

However, firefighters are watching the weather closely. A dry cold front arriving Saturday is expected to bring northwest winds of 15 mph sustained with gusts up to 30 mph and afternoon relative humidity dropping to the mid-teens — conditions that have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning for the Roza incident area on Saturday.

Fire Weather Outlook

A building high-pressure system returning Sunday and strengthening through early next week will push temperatures back into the low to mid-90s with afternoon humidity in the low to mid-teens across eastern Washington. Residents throughout the region should remain prepared for rapidly changing conditions and monitor local emergency management channels for evacuation notices.