Wash. wildfire destroys homes, forces evacuations
Published 10:19 am Monday, June 29, 2015
A wildfire fueled by high temperatures and strong winds roared into a central Washington neighborhood, destroying residences and forcing residents of several hundred homes to flee, authorities said Monday.
The blaze ignited in brush just outside town Sunday afternoon and still was burning out of control, said Rich Magnussen, a spokesman for the Chelan County Emergency Management office.
Officials hoped rain falling early Monday would help crews get a handle on the flames in Wenatchee, about 120 miles east of Seattle, Washington State Patrol Trooper Darren Wright said.
“We know the fire has grown overnight and we lost several more structures,” Wright said Monday.
The emergency management office said the evacuations were mainly in the north end of town, and included a Walmart store. The store did not burn, but several commercial buildings were near the blaze, Wright said.
Officials previously said at least a dozen structures — mainly houses — were destroyed, but a helicopter was getting an update Monday morning on the number of buildings damaged and how much land has burned.
There have been no immediate reports of injuries.