At least 64 buildings have burned in the Monastery Complex Fire northeast of Goldendale.
It’s unclear how many of the buildings are homes and how many are outbuildings, said Dale Warriner, spokesman for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Information released Thursday showed nine homes had been destroyed in the blaze.
The fire is still active but, as of Friday afternoon, was 20 percent contained, Warriner said.
As of Friday, the blaze had burned 4,200 acres, was threatening about 200 buildings and had closed several miles of U.S. Highway 97 in Klickitat County.
Crews will face unusually hot late-summer weather through the weekend.
Highs near Goldendale, about 100 miles east of Vancouver will remain at or around 90 degrees through Sunday. Monday and Tuesday won’t be much cooler, with high temperatures in the mid- to upper-80s, according to the National Weather Service. Winds from the east are also forecast and will suck moisture out of the air.
A 17-member strike force representing Clark County Fire & Rescue, Washougal Fire Department and Clark County fire districts 3, 10 and 13 is on scene battling the blaze.
