Wildfire burns homes near Ellensburg

ELLENSBURG – A lightning-sparked wildfire burning about 10 miles north of Ellensburg has destroyed more than a dozen structures, including six homes or cabins, and threatens dozens of other homes, officials said Monday evening.

Sixteen structures have been confirmed lost, including the six residences or cabins, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office said. The Sheriff’s Office has issued its most serious evacuation notice for about 80 homes.

The Snag Canyon fire that started late Saturday has scorched about 3 square miles of grass, brush and timber, fire spokeswoman Sarah Foster said. It’s about 10 percent contained and 200 firefighters were attacking it.

After a quiet afternoon, the wind was “starting to rattle the trees” Monday evening, Foster said. She described Monday’s fire activity as “pretty moderate.”

There have been no reports of injuries.

State officials have closed the western half of Naneum Ridge State Forest to keep campers and hikers safe.

In north-central Washington, about 1,700 people were battling the state’s largest wildfire, which has destroyed about 470 structures since it started July 14.

The Carlton Complex of fires, which has scorched nearly 400 square miles, was 90 percent contained, fire spokesman Steve Till said Monday evening. Firefighters have built a line around a nearby fire that started Friday between Twisp and Winthrop and burned a handful of homes, but Till said it’s not considered fully contained.