Goldendale blaze slows; Spokane-area fire ignites

Firefighters are starting to gain control over a large wildfire burning near Goldendale, Wash., on top of Satus Pass, fire officials said Monday.

But a wildfire burning south of Wenatchee in the Colockum Pass area has burned three houses and several outbuildings since breaking out Saturday, and threatens a wind farm.

Closer to Spokane, firefighters descended northwest of Spokane along Bluebird Road to a fire ignited Monday afternoon. About 50 acres had burned, according to news reports, and several buildings were in danger of catching fire.

The fire that started Wednesday near Goldendale has grown to almost 32 square miles and is now about 25 percent contained, said spokesman Randy Shepard of the interagency fire management team. He predicted the 1,200 people fighting the fire would have a line built around the fire this week.

Highway 97 is still closed between Goldendale and Toppenish and will remain closed as long as necessary.

The fire threatens about 144 structures, including about 70 residences.

The wildfire burning in grass, brush and timber south of Wenatchee in the Colockum Pass area has grown to about 39 square miles and is spreading toward a wind farm near Vantage.

Fire officials were working on a plan to stop the fire at a ridge north of the Wild Horse wind farm, which was about 8 miles from the flames Monday afternoon. Fire spokeswoman Karen Ripley estimated the fire was at least two days away from that point.