Multiple crews, planes battling Beam Road fire east of Zillah | Local

Updated with Level 2 evacuation notice.

Several teams are battling a wildfire burning on the ridge north of Sunnyside and east of Zillah.

The fire at Beam and East Houghton roads was reported around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

As of 4 p.m., firefighters estimated the fire to be 8,000 acres. The state Department of Natural Resources had three fixed-wing planes, two helicopters and two air tankers on scene, said Ryan Rodruck, Eastern Washington communications manager.

Yakima County Fire District 5 said the fire was being driven by wind to the east.

“Winds always present a challenge for firefighting, especially in very gusty conditions like these,” Rodruck said.

A Level 2 evacuation advisory has been issued for residents in and around the Rattlesnake Ridge area, according to Yakima Valley Emergency Management. Level 2 means people must be prepared to leave at a moment's notice and move emergency supplies and personal items to their vehicle.

The area extends from Beam Road and Houghton Road, northbound on Rattlesnake Ridge to State Route 24. Then eastbound on State Route 24 to 24 and State Route 241 (Silver Dollar). Then head south on 241 to Houghton Road, then west on Houghton Road to Beam Road.

A Type 3 Incident Management Team has been commissioned, which will bring in more resources.

The fire was first reported on Bureau of Land Management land.

The public is asked to avoid the area to allow firefighters to work.

Elsewhere in the county, firefighters contained the 80-acre Roza Fire in the Yakima River Canyon on Friday, according to Central Washington Fire Command.

This story is developing and will be updated.