Fire spreading: 25,000 acres burned south of Wenatchee

CHELAN COUNTY -- The wildfire burning south of Wenatchee has grown to 25,000 acres and is only 5 percent contained.

Maria Agnew watched from her back deck as fast moving flames tore around her neighborhood and back up the ridge towards her home.

“I could feel the flames, I could feel the heat from across the road,” said Agnew. “And it was probably 250 yards away and we knew this wasn’t good.”

Agnew credits firefighters for digging in and saving many of the homes in her neighborhood, though three were lost.

“We’re really fortunate, everybody that didn’t burn is fortunate, because it happened so fast.”

But the wildfire is still moving, devouring several acres in just seconds, pushed by high winds and dry brush. Around 300 firefighters are battling it but they can’t get in front of it.

“When you have light to medium fuels and high winds, it’s just like stepping in front of a truck,” said Rick Issacson, with Chelan County Fire District. “It’s going to mow you over so you can’t put firefighters in front of that.”

The fire is now moving south, into Kittitas County, and people there being advised to leave as well.