Malott Second Town Evacuated As Fire Spreads

A massive wildfire that has destroyed at least 100 homes has forced the residents of a second north-central Washington town to leave their homes.

Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers says officers "basically evacuated the whole town" of Malott on Friday as the fire advanced. He said late Friday night that one home had burned there.

Those living in outlying areas of Brewster were also told to leave although the sheriff said later that threat had eased, at least for the moment.

Malott is home to about 500 people, while the population of Brewster is about 2,400.

Rogers says no injuries have been reported.

Fire swept through the town of Pateros on Thursday, after its 650 residents left. Many of them returned Friday to large areas of smoldering rubble.

Officials say the fire known as the Carlton Complex has blackened more than 260 square miles and continues to grow.