MYNORTHWEST NEWS

About 168 homes evacuated as wildfire burns near Leavenworth

May 24, 2017, 6:01 AM

A wildfire burns about four miles north of Leavenworth at Spromberg Canyon. (from Chumstick Wildfir...

A wildfire burns about four miles north of Leavenworth at Spromberg Canyon. (from Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition via KIRO 7)

(from Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition via KIRO 7)

LEAVENWORTH — About 168 homes are threatened and residents have been evacuated as a 40-acre wildfire burns near Leavenworth.The wildfire, about four miles north of Leavenworth at Spromberg Canyon, started in a log yard and spread to nearby timber and brush late Tuesday morning.High winds also created several spot fires. Emergency management issued a level-3 alert — meaning people should leave the area — hours later in the afternoon for an area around Spromberg Canyon Road.

What the wildfire alerts mean

• Level 1 = alert. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists, and monitor local media outlets for information. • Residents with special needs, or those with pets or livestock, should take note and make preparations for relocating family members, pets, and livestock.
• Level 2 = significant risk to your area, and residents should voluntarily relocate outside of the area, or, be ready to leave at a moments notice.
• Level 3 = you should leave immediately

The wildfire jumped over Chumstick Highway, spreading just before 5 p.m. as winds gusted to 40 to 50 mph.

DNR sent three helicopters, five engines, and two crews to the fire in hopes of controlling it before dark.

More resources were brought in overnight to help fight the fire that as of Wednesday morning, was still not contained. New video from overnight showed a train bringing in water to put out the flames.

Chumstick Highway is closed at Eagle Creek and Sunitsch Canyon. Chelan County Emergency Management is posting updates on road closures to their Twitter page.
A temporary shelter for residents has been set up at a local church. There is no word on when they could return home.

Meanwhile, a level 1 alert was issued for Sunitsch Canyon to Leavenworth.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Last summer, a fire scorched nearly 500 acres northeast of Leavenworth.

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About 168 homes evacuated as wildfire burns near Leavenworth