A pile of logs burns near Leavenworth. The wildfire started at an old log-storage site and prompted evacuation orders for homes and cabins. (Ben Torkelson/Chelan County Fire District 3 via AP)

A pile of logs burns near Leavenworth. The wildfire started at an old log-storage site and prompted evacuation orders for homes and cabins. (Ben Torkelson/Chelan County Fire District 3 via AP)

Wildfire forces evacuation of 168 homes near Leavenworth

Associated Press

LEAVENWORTH — A wildfire that started at an old log-storage site has prompted evacuation orders for 168 homes and cabins at a popular Washington state hiking and skiing destination, officials said Wednesday.

The fire was burning on about 40 acres (161,900 square meters) Wednesday. It started Tuesday about 3 miles north (4.8 kilometers) of the tourist town of Leavenworth in an old timber storage area containing enormous cedar logs. Leavenworth is a gateway to Wenatchee National Forest where many people have getaway homes.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Gannie said the fire is threatening homes, timber and electrical infrastructure away from the downtown area, modeled in Bavarian village style.

Swirling wind conditions on Wednesday kept the firefighters working hard to contain sparks that could set other trees outside the fire zone ablaze, officials said.

“I’m not seeing any dramatic fire change or growth, but the wind is strong,” Northwest Incident Management Team spokesman Brendan Cowan said. “It’s still a challenging fire environment. It’s far from being a fully contained fire.”

Ross Frank, owner of Red-Tail Canyon Farm, said the fire was burning about a quarter mile (.40 kilometers) from his farm with draft horses and forest where weddings, barbeques and sleigh rides are held.

“It’s our whole livelihood,” Frank said. “Everything we do is right here on the ranch.”

He was told to evacuate but stayed home because he is also a firefighter and spent 19 hours helping at the blaze site.

He said he plans to stay and prepare his animals to leave if the winds shift the fire’s path toward his property or if sparks start fires closer to his ranch.

“The wind has been gusting and swirling so much it’s hard to tell where it’s coming from, especially in canyon-country,” he said. “I’m optimistic, but the wind will be the deciding factor.”

Cowan said that there were no reports of injuries and that no structures had been damaged.

The Red Cross opened a shelter in Leavenworth where two people stayed Tuesday night, said Red Cross spokeswoman Christina Jones.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Vernon Streeter looks over the fence at the Skykomish Substation operated by Puget Sound Energy on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Skykomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Doesn’t make any sense’: Skykomish residents decry increased outages

Community members are frustrated about power outages and a lack of communication from Puget Sound Energy.

Glacier Peak, elevation 10,541 feet, in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest in Snohomish County, Washington. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald) 2019
2 years later, Glacier Peak seismometers delayed again

The U.S. Forest Service planned to install them in 2023. Now, officials are eyeing 2026.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson speaks at the Snohomish & Island County Labor Council champions dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ferguson, WA Democrats prepare for new era of showdowns with Trump

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson and Attorney General-elect Nick Brown are readying their legal teams.

Benson Boone (Photo provided by AEG Presents)
Monroe’s Benson Boone snags Grammy nomination for Best New Artist

The Monroe High grad this year has opened for Taylor Swift and won an MTV Video Music Award.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood caregiver accused of $674K check fraud

Prosecutors allege Sheila Saluquen defrauded the elderly owner of a car dealership for over a year.

Deborah Rumbaugh
‘Very hostile work environment’: Stanwood-Camano school supe resigns

Superintendent Deborah Rumbaugh said Tuesday she’ll be gone at the end of the school year.

Snohomish County Superior Courthouse in Everett, Washington on February 8, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
WA court system outage means firearm sales on hold

Buyers must wait until the Washington State Patrol can access databases for background checks.

Snohomish County Council listens to George Skiles talk about his findings in an audit of the Snohomish County Executive Office on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Audit questions hiring practices in Snohomish County exec’s office

The report was presented to the County Council on Wednesday. It includes several recommendations.

David Hope, a Everett AquaSox ticket holder since 1994, talks about the stadium proposal presented to the public during a community information session on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett residents voice support, concerns over AquaSox stadium

On Tuesday, the city presented potential plans for a new or renovated stadium and fielded questions.

A state Department of Transportation traffic camera from Highway 527 shows the aftermath of a school bus crash Wednesday afternoon on I-405. (Photo provided by the state Department of Transportation)
I-405 reopens after school bus crash blocked lanes in Bothell

The bus was carrying a girls soccer team from La Conner. No one on the bus was reported injured.

Flyers of support for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson. (Laurel Demkovich / Washington State Standard)
Somers, Liias among Snohomish County leaders on Ferguson transition team

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson on Tuesday announced a 53-person team that will help with the transition from Gov. Jay Inslee.

The line for the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office extends around the Admin West building and onto Pacific Avenue Election Day as people wait for same-day registration, ballot issuance, and accessible voting services on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County voter turnout down from 2020

Meanwhile, local Republicans celebrated the national results. And Democrats applauded the local.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.