CASHMERE, Wash. - Eight separate wildfires were burning in north-central Washington as firefighters battled high winds, rain and lightning.
The largest blaze in, Nahahum Canyon, had burned 600 acres of grass, brush and trees as of Saturday afternoon. More than 50 homes in the grassy canyon have evacuated. There have been no confirmed reports of structures burned by the fire.
Several aircraft and firefighters from local fire departments, the U.S. Forest Service and the Washington state Department of Natural Resources responded. More than 250 people are fighting the fire, with no reports of injuries.
The fire burned within 30 feet of the property of Kevin Harper and Briana Needham.
"The winds picked up to about 20 miles an hour or so. Then it started getting kind of scary," said Kevin.
"I could see one plume of smoke. Then I saw an explosion and just billows of black smoke," said Briana.
Up the canyon, Gary Kennard and his relatives watched from their deck as the fire burned to the edge of their home of 17 years.
"Big flames," said Monica Kennard. "When we drove up … you could feel the heat coming through our car.
"It was scary. When you see flames and flames and it's so hot," said Gunda Rider.
Across the street from the Kennard's, a home site under construction was burned, including a trailer full of building material.
The afternoon winds quickly changed to a lightning storm with heavy rain and hail. Mud that came sliding down the hillsides due the thunderstorm created yet another challenge for firefighters Saturday afternoon. The fire crews were temporarily pulled off the lines to stay dry and keep from getting sick. Fire drops were also suspended during the lightning storm.
Rainbow Bridge Fire
State fire assistance has been mobilized to support local firefighters working to contain the 4,000 acre Rainbow Bridge Fire near Stehekin, in Chelan County.
Firefighters successfully protected the Stehekin School and the historic Old Schoolhouse and other threatened structures. The Chelan County Sheriff issued evacuations for the two unoccupied schools and 4 homes. An estimated 100 structures are threatened by the fire.
Weather and terrain are making it tough for firefighters. Thunderstorms and high winds are forecasted, and the fire is burning along with extremely steep and inaccessible terrain above the valley bottom.
Investigators say the fire was human-caused, but the investigation continues.
Red flag warning
A low pressure system off the Oregon coast will slowly move northeast into Washington on Saturday, developing abundant lightning over all of Central and Eastern Washington.
The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a red flag warning which is in effect until 11 p.m. Saturday.
More information:
Fire Danger in Your County: http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx
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