Brush fire near Cle Elum fully contained

CLE ELUM, Wash. — Residents near a brush fire in Kittitas County were told to evacuate Saturday evening as crews worked to contain a 40-acre fire.

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The fire was fully contained by Sunday morning. It was smoky and there were burning logs within the contained area. Puget Sound Energy officials were out surveying for damage.

A local chimpanzee sanctuary said the fire spread to property it recently purchased, but that the staff and chimpanzees were unharmed.

A new fire started Saturday evening at the end of Hart Road on top of the hill, due to re-energized power lines, fire officials said.

Evacuations took place along Hart Road and Durango Road. The highway was shut down while crews worked to fight the flames.

State Route 10 was closed for the fire response at State Route 97. The brush fire was burning near mile point 90.

On Sunday morning, SR 10 was still closed for fire operations. It reopened around 2:15 p.m.

The fire also cut off power in the area, officials said.

<a href="http://www.kiro7.com/news/photos-brush-fire-burning-saturday-near-cle-elum/380243079" target="_blank"><strong>[+ See photos from the brush fire burning near Cle Elum.]</strong></a>

No injuries were reported.

Local elk visits, thanks firefighters with kisses

A local elk visited with responding Kittitas County firefighters and officers, giving them kisses. [+ See photos of the elk giving kisses.]

The elk is seen in photos returning to green pastures after its visit with responders.

"Local elk hanging out at the command post. She is making her rounds giving kisses to each firefighter and officer here," fire officials wrote.

Chimpanzee sanctuary threatened by nearby fire

A chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, advised the fire was burning very close to their property.

"The two Co-Directors are with the chimps and there is a fire crew working hard to contain it. We feel safe right now and hope that the fire is brought under control before it threatens any other properties," <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chimpsanctuary/" target="_blank">sanctuary officials wrote over Facebook.</a>

"We had brought the chimps inside the building and shut all of the windows and doors, so the window in front room four was the spot to watch from. Most of the chimps were very calm. Jody and Foxie were a bit anxious, with Jody sticking close by Burrito most of the afternoon. ... We gave them some extra treats today and otherwise followed the routine as much as possible. They are in bed now -- Jamie with her boots, Foxie with her dolls, and Negra under a blanket," <a href="http://www.chimpsanctuarynw.org/blog/2016/07/highway-10-fire/" target="_blank">officials with the sanctuary wrote</a>.

Troopers were in Cle Elum working to assist fire officials. A second brush fire was also burning nearby, close to a fish hatchery.

Details will be added here as they continue to come in.

Cox Media Group