Goldendale wildfire up to nearly 27 square miles

GOLDENDALE, Wash. — A wildfire burning near Goldendale, Wash., has grown to nearly 27 square miles. Spokeswoman Lauren Durocher of the interagency fire management team says the fire has grown in part from Saturday’s estimate of 14 square miles because of more accurate mapping. The fire along the top of Satus Pass is threatening about 144 structures, including about 69 residences. That number was also updated today. No structures have been destroyed but all have been evacuated. The fire was about 15 percent contained today and about 1,100 people are working on the blaze. Most of Highway 97 between Goldendale and Toppenish remains closed. Meanwhile, a brush fire burning south of Wenatchee has grown to more than 3 square miles. The fire burning at the Colockum Pass area has not burned any more structures since two destroyed on Saturday, but fire officials say about 40 homes and cabins are threatened. Two minor injuries have been reported to fire fighters on that fire.