Rains Smother Most Fires In Wenatchee National Forest

Overnight rainstorms and cooler temperatures put the damper on practically all the approximately 20 fires covering 130 to 140 acres in the Chelan and Entiat areas early Sunday.

Most of the fires, ignited by lightning Thursday night, never grew beyond a fraction of an acre, said Robin DeMario, a spokeswoman for the Wenatchee National Forest.

Most of the 90 firefighters who were summoned to quell the flames were being demobilized, she said.

The Deer Mountain fire was nearly under control by daybreak Sunday after scorching about 100 acres of grass and sagebrush three miles northeast of Chelan.

Containment also was anticipated at the Preston fire, covering 17 acres of brush and trees 20 miles northwest of Entiat, she said.

One firefighter was treated for bruises and a hyperextended knee after being hit by a rolling log on the Preston fire, she said.