Smoke from the Chiwaukum Creek fire drifts across the setting sun on July 16. (Photo by Mark Englebrecht via Flickr)
Firefighters in Washington State are struggling to gain control over multiple fires, including one that has burned two homes in the Methow Valley.
Here’s the latest on those fires:
Carlton Complex
Covering 28 square miles (approximately 18,000 acres) near the town of Twisp, the complex is comprised of the Cougar Flat fire, the Golden Hike fire and the French Creek fire. Some 500 firefighters are battling the blazes, which are being fueled by high temperatures, dry conditions and winds. The two homes were lost in the Carlton and Fringe Creek areas, according to The Seattle Times.
Chiwaukum Creek
This lightning-caused fire is one of the fastest growing in the state, up to more than 6,000 acres from 450 earlier today. Nearly 900 homes are threatened, and residents and tourists to the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth have been asked to leave, according to The Associated Press. “There’s a huge cloud of smoke above us,” Don Hurst, a retired firefighter who lives just outside of Leavenworth, said. “The winds started to pick up a little. It’s just like snowfall here with the ash coming down. It’s fine ash. We’re getting all this ash fall.”
Mills Canyon
Evacuations are also in effect for this 22,500-acre blaze, located two miles southwest of Entiat. Some 500 firefighters have the fire 40 percent contained.
Kelly Mountain
The Seattle Times reported that the fire on Kelly Mountain was in such a remote location — and at such a high elevation — that it may require smokejumpers to engage in an attempt to gain control. Officials think the fire has little chance to spread quickly, however.
A state of emergency has been declared in 20 Eastern Washington counties because of multiple wildfires.
- Tagged: Carlton Complex, Chiwaukum Creek, Mills Canyon
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