Wildfires in central Washington force evacuations



WATERVILLE, Wash. -- Two fires burning in Douglas County have charred close to 20,000 acres since igniting Friday evening.

300 state and local firefighters are battling the Douglas County Complex Fire, which started as five small lightning-sparked fires, before merging into two large fires.

One of the blazes is burning 17 miles northeast of Waterville, near Jameson Lake.

The other fire is burning about 10 miles southeast of Waterville.

Grant County authorities said Sunday afternoon that the level 3 evacuations issued to Rimrock Meadows had been changed to level 1. About 30 residents on the north end of Palisades Road remained under a level 3 evacuation notice, meaning residents needed to leave their homes immediately.

Fire officials say the Douglas County complex of fires have grown to cover about 30 square miles. No structures have been destroyed.

Multiple aircraft were also battling the fires. Containment was estimated at 10-percent Sunday afternoon.

The Red Cross has also set up a shelter at Ephrata High School for any evacuated residents.

Fire danger in many areas of Washington state remains very high or extreme.