High winds push Central Wash. wildfire

[freshwest]

by Associated, KING 5 News and KREM - July 19, 2014

...An estimated 100 homes have been destroyed. About 2,000 firefighters are working in Eastern Washington; an additional 1,000 National Guard troops and active duty military could be called...

As of Saturday morning, the lightning-caused fire had burned nearly 340 square miles in the scenic Methow Valley. The fire was measured at 260 square miles Friday.

People living between Carlton and Pateros have been told to leave their homes. The fire has blackened hillsides, destroyed homes and downed power lines. Many towns were without electrical power or phone service Saturday...

Fire officials say the Chiwaukum Creek Fire west of Leavenworth has grown to 6,638 acres and is not contained...

Gov. Jay Inslee said about 50 fires were burning in Washington, which has been wracked by hot, dry weather, gusting winds and lightning. Some 2,000 firefighters were working in the eastern part of the state, with about a dozen helicopters from the Department of Natural Resources and the National Guard, along with a Washington State Patrol spotter plane.

Karina Shagren, spokeswoman for the state's Military Department, said 100 National Guard troops were on standby, and up to 1,000 more in Yakima could receive additional fire training. Active duty military could be called in as well, Inslee said.

Also on Saturday, authorities announced that they are bringing in two military air tankers from Wyoming to help fight wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. Officials at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, say the tankers were activated to ensure that firefighters had adequate air tanker capability in the region.

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Howling-winds-push-massive-Washington-wildfire-267786231.html

Many more specifics on evacuations and road closures at the link above. From other stories online, not only homes lost, but barns, hay, cattle and more have been destroyed.