Growing blaze causes evacuations north of Cle Elum

CLE ELUM, Wash. (AP) - People in about 150 homes in Central Washington have been told to evacuate because of a growing wildfire in the region.

KOMO reports that the blaze near Cle Elum, Washington, had grown to about 12 square miles Thursday after it was fueled by high winds.

Kittitas County escalated evacuations in the Middle Fork Teanaway area near Cle Elum to a level 3 "Go Now" evacuation. Officials said of the 154 homes evacuated, half were primary homes and the other half were cabins and vacation homes.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest also extended its closure area all the way to Highway 97 due to the wildfire. More information will be shared at a community meeting Thursday night starting at 6 p.m. at Walter Strom Middle School. You can watch via Facebook live at this link: https://www.facebook.com/jollymountainfireinfo.

The fire started Aug. 11 after lightning strikes.