More Firefighters On Lines In Chelan As Fires Burn

CHELAN, Wash. (AP) — More crews, including some from the Washington National Guard, were being mobilized as several large fires threatened homes in the Chelan area in central Washington.

The blazes have destroyed more than 50 structures, forced about 1,500 residents to flee and scorched more than 155 square miles. Scores of homes remain threatened.

Fire incident spokesman Wayne Patterson says air tankers established lines to keep the flames from reaching downtown Chelan, a popular resort town. Helicopters have been dipping into Lake Chelan to pull up water to battle blazes north of the lake.

Improved weather helped firefighters Sunday, but hot temperatures and low humidity are expected this week.