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Wildfires prompt expanded evacuations in Kittitas and Chelan counties
Wildfires in Kittitas and Chelan counties are prompting expanded evacuations and road closures. The Labor Mountain Fire, which has grown to more than 1,700 acres, has led to a "go now" order for communities south toward Ellensburg, and a "go now" order is in place for the Entiat Valley due to the growing Lower Sugarloaf Fire.
KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. - The Labor Mountain Fire on Blewett Pass continues to burn and has spread, prompting safety concerns and temporary road closures.
The fire, which started in early September, is south of the Enchantments and west of Highway 97.
Officials expanded Level 3 Evacuations (Go Now) on Thursday, with the advisory in place for Blewett Pass, Camas Meadows, and the Mineral Springs and Cougar Gulch communities. It includes Cougar Road, Blue Jay Road, Snowshoe Road, Elk Road, Hawk Road, Teal Road, Wolf Road, Eagle Road, Meadowlark Road, Camas Creek Road, Shaser Creek Road, King Creek Road and Culver Creek Road.
The Washington State Department of Transportation closed a 30-mile stretch of Blewett Pass on Sunday due to active fire along the border of Chelan and Kittitas counties.
>> RELATED: Where are the fires in WA? Here's a map
The backstory:
The Labor Mountain Fire started Sept. 1 and was caused by lightning, officials said.
Officials reported the fire at 7,618 acres on Sunday. After a Monday update, the fire reportedly grew to 11,679 acres. The fire remains 7% contained.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Chelan County Emergency Management and the Labor Mount Fire Facebook page.
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