Fire crews stymie region's wildfires

COULEE DAM - The Barker Canyon Complex fires continue to grow, more than tripling initial estimates of scorched land between Grant and Douglas counties.

Officials announced Wednesday that the fire has grown to 91,883 acres, much more than then original figure of 30,000. It's considered 20 percent contained.

The complex's north branch, or the Leahy Junction fire, has singed nearly 75,000 of those acres since the fires began during a lightning storm over the weekend.

Douglas County Fire Marshal Doug Miller confirmed Wednesday that three homes and nine outbuildings were destroyed in the Leahy arm of the fire.

The fire toasted roughly 1,500 acres on the north side of the Columbia River after it jumped the banks, spokeswoman Karen Ripley said.

The south branch, formerly dubbed the Barker Canyon Fire, has churned through roughly 17,000 acres of sage and grass.

A Level 2 evacuation warning remains in effect for the entire fire area, meaning that residents should be ready to leave at a moment's notice, fire officials said.

Douglas County sheriff's deputies reopened state Route 174 Wednesday between Leahy Junction and Coulee Dam. It had previously been closed due to fire near the roadway.

Crews benefitted from calm winds and cooler overnight temperatures while battling the blaze, Ripley said. More than 300 people are assigned to the fire.

"Windy and drier weather is due on Friday, so we're really working hard to be in really good shape when the winds come up," Ripley said.

"I am very happy with the progress made to stop this fire and the professionalism that was shown by all fire personnel," incident commander Larry Nickey said.

Meanwhile, the Canyon Fire near Wenatchee continues to threaten over 100 homes, with fire officials changing evacuation levels throughout the area.

The fire is reported to have grown to 2,000 acres and is one of 50 burning in the area.

The Apache Canyon Fire has seared 24,500 acres between Odessa and Creston.

That figure is up from 18,000 on Tuesday. The fire is reported at 40 percent contained.

Spokesman Jeff Sevigney said the blaze has a high potential for growth.