The Miriam fire on Aug. 3, seen from Overlook.
The blast of hot and dry weather being blamed for pushing the Miriam Fire near White Pass to 1,350 acres is likely to continue today with additional growth and thicker smoke that will worsen air quality.
Further complicating firefighting efforts are forecasts of a Friday cold front expected to bring winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph and the possibility of thunderstorms, which could ignite more fires.
To slow the spread of the fire burning about 3 miles southeast of the White Pass Ski Area, back burns were conducted Wednesday to keep the fire south of Clear Lake. The fire was 9 percent contained Wednesday and isn't expected to be contained until Sept. 1.
Highway 12 over White Pass remains open, but restrictions were announced Wednesday for parts of Rimrock Lake. Water recreationists are advised the shoreline on the west, south and peninsula areas of the lake are closed to public access until further notice. Access is still available along the north shore. The South Fork Bay campground and group camp are still open. A Level 2 evacuation order is in effect in the area around the lake, which means people should be ready to leave if necessary.
As the fire and others in the Pacific Northwest grow, air quality in the Yakima Valley is expected to worsen to an unhealthy level. It was rated as moderate on Wednesday, except in the Sunnyside area where it had already reached the unhealthy level for sensitive groups, including children, people over 65, pregnant women, those with serious health conditions and others may be at risk for serious health effects.
An air quality alert for the region remains in effect until Friday morning.
Firefighting efforts have been bolstered with the arrival of 13 Australian firefighters, who are part of a contingent of 85 firefighters and support personnel from Australia and New Zealand sent to help with large fires in the Pacific Northwest.
About 363 people were on scene Wednesday, including six 20-person crews, three helicopters, 26 engines and two bulldozers.
Since the fire was started July 31 by lightning, the cost of fighting it was estimated Wednesday at $2 million, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.
