High winds cause Washington wildfire to double in size

It was a rough night for the more than 200 firefighters attempting to contain a wildfire burning north of Ellensburg.

The Snag Canyon fire doubled in size, and now covers ten square miles, because of a persistent storm.

“It was a really significant wind event yesterday (Tuesday.) It started in the afternoon and continued to push through the night. It’s actually still blowing this morning, which is pretty rare that wind keeps blowing all night long,” says fire spokesperson Sarah Foster.

The Snag Canyon fire isn’t threatening any homes at the moment, but it’s only 10 percent contained.

Meanwhile, forecasters are warning of wildfire danger Wednesday in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon due to a combination of winds and low humidity.

A red flag warning is in effect until 9 p.m. for the area from Yakima through the Tri-Cities to Walla Walla in Washington and including The Dalles, Hermiston and Pendleton in Oregon.

The National Weather Service says humidity will be as low as 13 percent and winds of 10-to-20 mph with gusts to 35 mph are forecast.

Forecasters say temperatures east of the Cascades will be in the mid-80s to low 90s the next few days, and morning clouds west of the Cascades will provide some relief from summer heat, with highs in the 70s.

Officials fighting a new wildfire complex on a northeast Washington Indian reservation have issued an urgent evacuation notice for about 20 homes.

The Devil’s Elbow Complex of three wildfires was detected Sunday on the Colville Reservation. Officials say it was likely ignited by weekend lightning. It has burned across about 2,000 acres.

Fire spokeswoman Kathy Moses says six families have evacuated to a community center in Keller. A stretch of State Highway 21 in the area has been closed.

The state Emergency Operations Center says wildfires have scorched an estimated 485 square miles in Washington state, and they have burned an estimated 334 homes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.