Updated 6 p.m.: The town of White Swan is under a “go now” wildfire evacuation, according to Yakima Valley Emergency Management.
The alert was issued at 2 p.m. Sunday for the Ransier Fire. The new fire started off Wesley and Ransier roads near White Swan, following a fire on Friday that also prompted evacuation notices. About 800 people live in White Swan, which is on the Yakama Reservation.
A message from the Yakama Nation said evacuees from the new fire can go to Harrah Elementary School, the Toppenish Longhouse on Robbins Road, the Wapato Longhouse and the gym at the Yakama Nation Tribal School.
Fort Road is closed starting at Brownstown. Pahto Public Passage is available for transportation for evacuees, according to the Yakama Nation.
As of 5 p.m., the fire was 500 acres and burning in brush, grass and heavy timber and threatening the town of White Swan, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. State fire assistance was ordered, with two wildland strike teams called up.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Ransier Fire started near Ransier and Wesley roads near White Swan on Sunday afternoon, July 26, 2026.
Photo courtesy John Pleasants
Other fires
The Lower Yakima Valley has been dealing with serious wildfires since Friday afternoon.
The Signal Peak Fire started around 3:30 p.m. on Friday south of White Swan, and strong winds pushed it through thick grasses and brush. Multiple homes, buildings and vehicles were destroyed overnight Friday, according to information from Fire District 5. About 3,000 acres burned, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
The Yakama Nation, Fire District 5, the State Department of Natural Resources, and fire districts from around the county responded.
The Yakama Nation is working on damage estimates. A donation page for affected families is available on social media, and the yakama.com website.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Firefighters also were called to respond to two other brush fires in the Lower Valley on Saturday afternoon. A 20-acre brush fire on Martin Road between Wapato and Toppenish started around 12:30 p.m. and threatened multiple homes.
“Thanks to the outstanding work of our firefighters and mutual aid partners, every home was successfully protected,” Fire District 5 said on social media.
Another fire was reported at 3:30 p.m. in the 17000 block of Fort Road, near the Adams View housing development that grew to seven acres, according to Fire District 5. One outbuilding was lost but no homes were damaged.