State resources have been mobilized and upward of 186 homes have been ordered evacuated after a wind-pushed wildfire moved into Spromberg Canyon north of Leavenworth.
LEAVENWORTH — State resources have been mobilized to help Chelan County crews battle a growing wildfire that has forced evacuations north of Leavenworth.
The state’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated to coordinate efforts to fight the Spromberg Fire, which started Tuesday afternoon near the intersection of Spromberg Canyon Road and Chumstick Highway, a populated area about three miles north of town.
Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Gannie reported that the state has sent in five wildland strike teams, two 20-person hand crews and a multiagency incident-management team to coordinate with dozens of county firefighters already on the scene.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office reported that as many as 186 homes are under a Level-3 evacuation order, meaning they are being told to leave immediately. Dozens of other homeowners have been warned that fire is nearby. Gannie said the fire is threatening homes, timber and electrical infrastructure.
By Tuesday night, the fire had charred 40 acres and is being pushed by winds blowing steady at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, according to the Chelan County Emergency Services Center.
Cause of the fire is under investigation, Gannie said.
Authorities began evacuations after the fire moved into an old logging yard.
Chelan County Fire District 3 spokeswoman Annie Schmidt says stacks of logs at an old mill are burning and creating a lot of heat.
The blaze started Tuesday around 12:40 p.m. No injuries have been reported.