Chelan wildfire emergency declared

CHELAN, Wash. – Gov. Chris Gregoire declared a wildfire emergency Friday in Chelan County, as the roughly 100 residents of the north-central Washington community of Stehekin awaited word on whether a growing blaze would force them to evacuate their homes.

The Flick Creek fire on the east shore of Lake Chelan had burned an estimated 7 square miles. The fire was burning in the Wenatchee National Forest and the National Park Service’s Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

Stehekin sits at the north end of Lake Chelan, accessible by boat, float plane, horse or on foot.

Authorities evacuated eight cabins farther down the lake shore Thursday, and Stehekin residents were put on notice Friday they might have to leave as well. The Chelan County sheriff also notified ferry boat operators on Lake Chelan that they might need to assist with an evacuation.

The emergency declaration allows state agencies to spend money or use resources in the firefighting effort. It also allows for the activation of the Washington National Guard.

The fire was believed to have been caused by an illegal campfire. Chelan County Sheriff Mike Harum said the hiker who allegedly caused the fire had turned herself in to the National Park Service visitor center in Stehekin and may face criminal charges. The hiker’s name was not released.