Sleepy Hollow Fire slows; now 47 percent contained

WENATCHEE, Wash. -- Fire crews gained ground on the devastating wildfires around Wenatchee Tuesday, but said the fight against the fire was not done.

The Sleepy Hollow Fire began Sunday afternoon outside of Wenatchee and burned within the city limits late Sunday night, Rich Magnussen with the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said. The fire continued to spread in the 100-degree temperatures Sunday and Monday, and twenty-four homes were burned, as well as four businesses.

Embers from the fire ignited new fires at a recycling plant Monday, briefly causing a Shelter in Place for air quality concerns.

No major injuries were reported, yet several firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation and heat-related injuries, officials said.

By Tuesday evening, the fire was about 47 percent contained as the concerning area of the fire had grown to 2,950 acres, officials said. Though rain Monday had helped containment, fire crews worried increasing heat, and small wind gusts, would continue to spread the fire Tuesday. Fire crews worked to clear brush and grass in the area to help take away fuel.

A community meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Foothills Middle School, 1410 Maple Street in Wenatchee. Officials will be explaining where they are in the firefight, and answering public questions.

Thirteen to 15 smaller fires popped up throughout Monday as embers were thrown by wind. Crews worked to make sure small pockets of heat were put out.

About 245 firefighters worked against the fire, officials said.

The fire compromised air quality in the area, officials said, causing unhealthy levels of smoke.

Officials continued to monitor a few smaller fires outside of Wenatchee, including the Road 6 fire north of the city near Mansfield. A few homes were threatened, but no evacuations were in place, officials said.