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Yakima‑Tieton irrigation district describes Retreat Fire damage to canal, seeks state advocacy and funding support
Summary
Travis Okelberry, district manager for the Yakima‑Tieton Irrigation District, described severe wildfire damage to a 12‑mile canal infrastructure, emergency repairs and a proposed $240 million, multi‑year reconstruction plan and asked legislators to champion funding applications.
Travis Okelberry, district manager for the Yakima‑Tieton Irrigation District, told the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee on Jan. 13 that the Retreat Fire severely damaged the district’s 12‑mile main canal and diversion infrastructure in Tieton Canyon and that the district needs state advocacy and financial support to complete a multi‑stage, climate‑resilient reconstruction.
Okelberry said the Retreat Fire consumed thousands of acres, destroyed access and burned timber cribbing and other century‑old structures that protect concrete‑lined canal sections. He reported that the fire moved quickly the first night and that the district declared an emergency, closed the canal for three days, and began hazard removal and…
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