Posted on 07/20/2002 1:37:35 AM PDT by Iwentsouth
CHELAN, Wash. - The Deer Point wildfire on the north shore of Lake Chelan continued to grow on Friday as it jumped a couple of drainages and defied firefighters in their attempt to contain it.
No injuries have been reported, but evacuations were being ordered.
The areas under a Level 3 evacuation, which means they are closed to the public, are: Antilon Lake campgrounds, Emerson Acres, the Upper Joe Creek Road area and Mitchell Creek campground.
This affects approximately 6 square miles of residential area.
According to firefighters, 75 homes are in danger. People who are being evacuated are asked to go to the Red Cross shelter at the Chelan High School.
Some other areas, including Green's Landing Road, Lower Joe Creek and Ivan Morse Road, were put on alert to be prepared for possible evacuations.
A garage with two vehicles inside burned Tuesday.
The fire, which began from an untended campfire, had grown to an estimated 6,680 acres by 3 p.m. Friday, but has grown larger since.
Earlier Friday, windy weather forced firefighters to postpone a burnout on the eastern flank of the fire, which remained only 10 percent contained.
But spokesman Noel Hardin said crews made significant progress clearing a protective trail and burning out fuels on the fire's western flank.
There were 441 people assigned to fight the fire, which started Monday 27 miles northwest of the town of Chelan.
Five helicopters made water drops, while three Canadian air tankers worked part of the day dumping retardant on the steep, rocky slopes. However, the fire was moving toward orchards, which would tend to be more irrigated and moist than the forest and brushlands it has been burning in, and might slow it down.
My brother just came to visit and had to drive through Chelan. He says the fire is real bad and Evacuation Alerts were on the radio. In some areas the smoke on the highway like fog and ash flying around like swarms of insects.
I just heard about WA this a.m. on the radio. I'll keep you in my prayers.
Lack of clear-cutting again? You need to demand "W" sign an executive order reversing this dangerous policy.
Hold his feet to the fire (ouch). The zonk (Clinton and his murderous policies) has ended but the malady lingers on.
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