WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) — Firefighting officials at a wildfire near Wenatchee say weather conditions have allowed them to make good progress in holding and strengthening fire lines.
Fire spokeswoman Karen Ripley says Tuesday’s winds at the Swakane Canyon fire were just 8-12 mph, down from the 15-25 mph winds that fanned the fire Monday. She says most of the smoke and fire seen Tuesday came from burnout operations.
Crews hope to have the wildfire contained by Saturday — no estimate yet on full control.
Ripley says the fire has burned across about 30 square miles and is 30 percent contained.
More than 400 fire personnel are at the scene of the blaze that was reported Saturday in canyons west of the Columbia River about 10 miles north of Wenatchee.
The fire is burning grass and brush and has destroyed a hay barn.
