"Wildfire Destroys 60 Homes, Burns 20,000 Acres in Washington"

"Firefighters battled wildfires across the U.S. West on Tuesday, including a massive out-of-control blaze that has destroyed 60 homes and burned more than 20,000 acres between two national forests in Washington state."



"Another 400 homes were evacuated in the rolling hills between the northwest Washington towns of Cle Elum and Ellensburg, at the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountains, prompting Governor Christine Gregoire to declare a state of emergency in two counties.

The massive Taylor Bridge Fire was among more than a dozen wildfires burning across the West, which is wilting under a heat wave that has sent temperatures into the triple digits. Together, the fires have burned some 500,000 acres across Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California."

Jonathan Kaminsky reports for Reuters August 15, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Federal Officials Investigate Idaho Wildfire Death" (AP)

"Buck Wildfire at 3,000 Acres, 1 Person Seriously Burned, 2 Firefighters Injured" (Palm Springs Desert Sun)

"Wildfire Burns 3,000 Acres in San Jacinto Foothills" (Los Angeles Times)
 

Source: Reuters, 08/15/2012