US 12 closes again near Wallula Junction because of fire activity

U.S. 12 was closed to traffic in both directions between Wallula Junction and Touchet because of fire activity in the area as of 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 1.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation travel map, the highway is closed from milepost 314 to milepost 318 in Touchet. Detours are available.

The Southeast Washington Incident Management Team that is managing the Lambdin Fire in the area said there were several new starts Wednesday in that area of U.S. 12, around milepost 316.

The new fires are near but unrelated to the Lambdin Fire, which was estimated at 12,776 acres and 25% containment Wednesday.

The state management team was assisting with the response to the new fires and asked the public to avoid the area.

There was no other immediate information available about the new fires.

Editor's note: This story is developing.

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