More than 100 fires still burning in Washington
Sep 13, 2012, 10:35 AM | Updated: Sep 14, 2012, 6:07 am
More than 1,000 firefighters are working with 7 firefighting helicopters, 3 fixed-wing aircraft and 140 fire engines as they battle the flames in central and eastern Washington. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
More than 25,000 acres continue to burn in Chelan County and hundreds of homes remain under evacuation orders Thursday.
Governor Christine Gregoire declared a state of emergency in Washington state Thursday. The proclamation will deploy additional state resources, including air support from Washington’s National Guard, to help firefighters working to contain the blazes burning across Eastern Washington.
There is some good news.
“With all the homes that could potentially be affected, we have lost no homes. We have lost two sheds, but the homes are all safe and we have no injuries reported,” says Fire Information Officer Connie Mehmel.
The largest fire remains the Canyons Fire near Wenatchee. It’s grown to 7,900 acres. Nearly 150 homes are under level 3 evacuation orders with residents being told to get out immediately. An additional 184 homes are under level 2 evacuation orders. Residents in those are being put on warning they may have to leave at a moment’s notice.
Near the town of Cashmere, 43 homes are under level 3 evacuation orders and 54 are under level 2 evacuation orders. The Poison Creek fire is burning on over 1,000 acres nearby.
Firefighters are having to hike 1 1/2 hours to get to the First Creek fire near the city of Chelan. The blaze is burning on about 140 acres in very rugged terran. Level 2 evacuation orders have been issued for 20 homes there.
The Byrd fire near Entiat is 35% percent contained. The 9,300 acre wildfire has caused the evacuation of 19 homes in the area.
In addition to the fires in Chelan County, more than 100 fires are still burning in Yakima and Okanagan Counties. They are generally smaller fires with fewer evacuations, but are still a concern for firefighters.
With some scheduled hunting times about to begin, anyone with a permit is advised to call the local Ranger district to find out whether the forest is still open.
