JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – A lightning strike sparked a wildfire Sunday at about 6:30 p.m. that has burned at least 25,000 acres at the Yakima Training Center. Officials at YTC said the fire is currently 5% contained.

Local government and YTC officials are recommending Wanapum Tribe members living in the immediate area southeast of YTC evacuate to the east side of the Columbia River.

The fire is burning in the vicinity of Yakima Ridge and Taylor Pond at the southernmost point to Alkali Canyon on the north side of Umtanum Ridge at the northernmost point. The fire is currently heading in a northeasterly direction.

Ground crews from YTC fought the fire overnight. They’ve since been reinforced by airborne firefighting assets which are now dropping water on the fire. Firefighters and equipment from nearby agencies are helping fight the wildfire.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.