Evacuation shelter for 9,000-acre Hatch Grade Fire closes; evacuations still in place

The fire is burning an area of about 9,023 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Fire response and evacuations

The Red Cross evacuation shelter at Touchet High School closed at 12 p.m. on September 30.

Anyone impacted by the Hatch Grade Fire may still access Red Cross resources by calling 1-800-733-2767.

Fire officials said the Hatch Grade Fire is less than 40% contained as of the morning of September 30.

Evacuations expanded again overnight in the Reese, Touchet, and Gardena areas of southwestern Walla Walla County due to the Hatch Grade Fire, now 5,000 acres.

This is per Walla Walla County Emergency Management. Byrnes Rd is closed from US-12 to Old Highway 12, per Walla Walla County Emergency Management.

Cause of fire under investigation

Three firefighting strike teams totaling 45 personnel are working to contain the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Previous closures to Byrnes Rd, US-12, and Old Highway 12 have since been lifted, per Walla Walla County Emergency Management.