CLE ELUM, Wash. - Heavy air tankers are dropping retardant on a stubborn wildfire still wreaking havoc in Washington’s Kittitas Valley.
While overall it seems like firefighters are getting the upper hand on what’s now called the Taylor Bridge fire, it’s clear that in places, it’s still putting up stiff resistance.
It’s hot in the afternoon here, 90 degrees and there’s still a stiff wind blowing. On the hillside across from me -- I have the Yakima River in between for safety -- flames are chewing through sage, grass and an occasional tree torching.
Two firefighting helicopters are circling just up river from me, dipping their buckets into the river to get water and then dropping it on a scattering of houses they’re trying to save.
I have to say the smoke is just suffocating. It’s pretty obvious why people who have difficulty breathing are being told to stay inside.
On the Web:
Taylor Bridge fire:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3152/
Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network.
Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network
