Firefighters Make Progress in Wash. Fire; Some 100 Homes Evacuated

Firefighters in southeastern Washington State continued to gain the upper hand Sunday on a nearly 50,000-acre wildfire, The School fire, which has resulted in the evacuation of some 100 homes in the area. A number of homes have been destroyed or damaged, mostly summer cabins along with some full-time residences.

According to officials, the fire was nearly 65 percent contained as of Sunday. Firefighters have reportedly been conducting controlled burns in their efforts to contain the fire, which began over a week ago.

The fire resulted in the governor declaring an emergency (see Claims Guides news for Aug. 13).

Burning some 150 miles to the north of the School fire, firefighters reportedly also made progress on the Harker Canyon fire. Officials indicated that fire was some 70 percent contained.