Jolly Mountain Fire: 154 homes evacuated near Cle Elum



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

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 fire started Aug. 11 after lightning strikes.

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Helicopters have been scooping water from a nearby lake to dump on the flames.

Firefighters said the fire almost doubled in size on Wednesday, fueled by high winds, heat and plenty of dry fuel.