Fast-moving wildfire spreading in Stehekin Valley
STEHEKIN VALLEY, Wash. -- A fast-moving wildfire is burning in the Stehekin Valley in the North Cascades National Park.
The "Rainbow Bridge Fire" was first reported at approximately 5 p.m. Thursday when smoke was seen rising from the Rainbow and Boulder Creek drainage area.
The blaze was reported to be about 200 acres big late Thursday afternoon, but by 11 p.m., it had grown to 1,000 acres and was still spreading.
Fire officials said the blaze was moving along the ridge line, and not posing an immediate threat to the homes on the valley floor 500 to 1,000 feet below. No evacuations have been ordered.
Firefighters were battling the flames defensively due to the steep terrain of the area. Eight smoke jumpers were working around the edge of the fire and helicopters were dumping buckets of water by air. A tanker also sprayed fire retardant in the area.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
Asevere storm rolled through Chelan County on Wednesday night, dumping about two inches of rain in less than an hour as lightning flashed and thunder crashed. However, fire investigators don't know whether weather played a factor.
"To my knowledge, there haven't been any electrical storms that have come through the Stehekin Valley," said Kerry Olson, a Stehekin Valley district ranger.
Efforts were scaled back at sundown, but were expected to begin again at dawn.
The "Rainbow Bridge Fire" was first reported at approximately 5 p.m. Thursday when smoke was seen rising from the Rainbow and Boulder Creek drainage area.
The blaze was reported to be about 200 acres big late Thursday afternoon, but by 11 p.m., it had grown to 1,000 acres and was still spreading.
Fire officials said the blaze was moving along the ridge line, and not posing an immediate threat to the homes on the valley floor 500 to 1,000 feet below. No evacuations have been ordered.
Firefighters were battling the flames defensively due to the steep terrain of the area. Eight smoke jumpers were working around the edge of the fire and helicopters were dumping buckets of water by air. A tanker also sprayed fire retardant in the area.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
Asevere storm rolled through Chelan County on Wednesday night, dumping about two inches of rain in less than an hour as lightning flashed and thunder crashed. However, fire investigators don't know whether weather played a factor.
"To my knowledge, there haven't been any electrical storms that have come through the Stehekin Valley," said Kerry Olson, a Stehekin Valley district ranger.
Efforts were scaled back at sundown, but were expected to begin again at dawn.