Crews continue to fight 5,000 acre Swawilla Fire near Keller

NESPELEM, Wash. -

UPDATE: July 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Officials said that the Swawilla Fire that was initially started by lightning has now grown to roughly 5,000 acres about nine miles south of Keller.

Level 3 evacuations (Go Now) have expanded to the entire Swawilla Basin up to Manila Creek Road.

Level 2 evacuations (Get Ready) have expanded to about 2 miles north of the road.

The fire is 0% contained.

ORIGINAL

Firefighter crews are continuing to fight the 2,500 acre Swawilla Fire burning south of Keller.

According to the incident management team, the fire danger is very high and there is no containment.

The Swawilla Fire started from lightning on July 17.

Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations were put into place when the fire crossed over Kerns Canyon. Swawilla Basin Road and Highway 21 south of Manila Creek Road is limited to local residents only.

Highway 21 is closed in both directions from the Keller Ferry to Manila Creek Road.

Saturday, crews will continue to create fire lines and work with aerial support to reduce fire behavior.

RELATED: Keller Ferry closed due to wildfire evacuations

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