Jolly Mountain Fire grows, no timeline on evacuation duration

With significant winds over the past few days, a wildfire burning north of Cle Elum has spread to 11,000 acres Friday and more than 150 homes have been evacuated.

The Jolly Mountain Fire is 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum. Since Thursday morning, the fire spread primarily to the east, towards the Wagon Wheel/Middle Fork Teanaway River area.  There was also growth to the south, down the West Fork drainage and slowly down the west side of Sasse Ridge, towards the Cle Elum River.

Firefighters intend to light some backfires over the next couple days to reduce the risk of spread past contingency lines. Seven crews, 4 helicopters, 19 engines and almost 400 personnel are fighting the fire.  Additional resources are arriving and some are being assigned to night shift as fire managers anticipate engaging the fire directly in the coming days.

Those who have been evacuated from their homes, could remain that way for several days, if not longer.

"I think that is where crews emphasis is going to be in the next few days, is what can we do to corral the fire to help people out. But keep in mind, I think everyone is aware and this community is aware this is going to be a longer-duration incident," says Sarah Wheeler, Information Officer for the Jolly Mountain Fire.

If you plan to camp in the area, Wheeler says they are asking that you call the Cle Elum Ranger District to make sure you're heading to a spot that is open. Many of the national forest lands have been closed due to the fire. She says make sure you have a plan and possible come up with a second location to go, if your first choice is closed.

Supervisors say lightening sparked the blaze which remains at 0% containment.

Fire officials held a community meeting Thursday night to answer the communities questions and you can find that below: