Colockum Tarps Fire blazes on

WENATCHEE, Wash. -- The Colockum Tarps fire continued to grow Tuesday, burning more than 40,000 acres and threatening dozens of homes.

The fire had burned 42,663 acres by 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. However, fire officials said the fire calmed down Monday night due to cloud cover and high humidity, and fire officials made progress fighting the blaze. Firefighters continue to battle the blaze, digging fire lines and sending in hot shot crews. Dry trees and brush continue to fuel the fire. The fire was reported to be only 5 percent contained.

Three hundred firefighters are fighting the blaze that started Saturday and has burned three homes and a handful of outbuildings. Kittitas County expanded the Level 2 evacuation to include the area southwest of the fire and 60 homes have been evacuated in the vicinity of Colockum, Tarpiscan and Kingsbury roads. Some time on Tuesday fire officials will determine if the evacuation order can be lifted for some areas.