Evacuations ordered as 5,500-acre wildfire burns south of Lake Chelan
A view of the Mills Canyon fire from the fire chief's backyard. As of Tuesday night, the family was not worried about evacuating yet. (Photo: KCPQ-TV)
ENTIAT, Wash. -- Residents of Mills Canyon and Dinkleman Canyon have been ordered to evacuate as a wildfire burns near the central Washington town of Entiat, south of Lake Chelan.
The Mills Canyon Fire has burned nearly 5,000 acres of mostly grass and brush, the U.S. Forest Service said.
About 250 firefighters and 15 fire engines are battling the blaze on private, state and federal lands.
An air tanker from Moses Lake, a heavy helicopter and a medium helicopter have been dispatched to the fire to assist ground resources now on scene at the fire, the Forest Service said.
The fire started at about 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, the Forest Service said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A shelter has been set up for anyone displaced by the fire at the Entiat High School at 2650 Entiat Way in Entiat.