Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗
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State fire resources were mobilized on July 8, 2026“Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 8, 2026, at 7:45 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief William Rose, Kittitas County Fire District 4.”
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State fire resources were mobilized to assist local firefighters battling the Ryegrass Coulee Fire“State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Ryegrass Coulee Fire located in Kittitas County, near Vantage.”
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The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is near Vantage, Washington“State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Ryegrass Coulee Fire located in Kittitas County, near Vantage.”
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The Ryegrass Coulee Fire started at 4:51 p.m. on July 8“The Ryegrass Coulee Fire started on July 8, 2026, at approximately 4:51 p.m.”
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The Ryegrass Coulee Fire has grown to 600 acres“This fire is estimated at 600 acres and growing.”
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The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is burning in grass, brush, and timber“It is burning in grass, brush, and timber and is threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage.”
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Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations are active“Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time.”
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The Ryegrass Coulee Fire threatens homes, power infrastructure, and structures in Vantage“It is burning in grass, brush, and timber and is threatening homes, power infrastructure, and structures in the community of Vantage.”
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Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization at 7:45 p.m. on July 8“Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 8, 2026, at 7:45 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief William Rose, Kittitas County Fire District 4.”
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Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization following a request from Fire Chief William Rose“Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 8, 2026, at 7:45 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief William Rose, Kittitas County Fire District 4.”
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Fire Chief William Rose is from Kittitas County Fire District 4“Fire Chief William Rose, Kittitas County Fire District 4.”
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The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is at Level 2“The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire.”
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The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is at partial activation“The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire.”
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The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is coordinating state assistance“The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire.”
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Two wildland strike teams have been dispatched to aid containment efforts“Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered two wildland strike teams and air resources to aid in containment efforts.”
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Two wildland strike teams and air resources have been dispatched“Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered two wildland strike teams and air resources to aid in containment efforts.”
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The fire's cause remains under investigation“The fire cause is currently under investigation.”
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The Washington State Patrol is seeking witnesses to a separate injury hit-and-run collision“WSP seeking witnesses to an injury hit-and-run collision — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 21:06:57 +0000
July 7, 2026 MILL CREEK, Wash. – The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is actively investigating an injury hit-and-run collision that occurred at 1:56 a.m. on June 25, 2026, on westbound State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE.”
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The injury hit-and-run collision occurred on June 25, 2026“July 7, 2026 MILL CREEK, Wash. – The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is actively investigating an injury hit-and-run collision that occurred at 1:56 a.m. on June 25, 2026, on westbound State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE.”
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The injury hit-and-run collision occurred near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE“A silver/grey late 90s, early 2000s Chevrolet Tahoe style vehicle with an unknown license plate was westbound on State Route 96 near Dumas Road/Elgin Way SE.”
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The injury hit-and-run collision occurred on State Route 96 in Mill Creek“... or null”
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The Washington State Patrol has released a photo of the suspect vehicle“null”
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The suspect vehicle is missing a passenger-side marker light“As a result of the collision, the vehicle is missing the passenger side marker light.”
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The Washington State Patrol is asking for dashcam footage or witness information“WSP Detective Nick Brockman is asking for witnesses of the collision, anyone with information on the fleeing vehicle, or anyone who was in the area at the time with a dash camera to call (360) 757-2008.”