Snag Canyon Fire Increasing While New Fire Near Colville

Fire officials say a lightning-sparked wildfire burning about 10 miles north of Ellensburg, Washington, has grown to more than 3,500 acres and destroyed more than a dozen structures, including six homes or cabins, and threatens dozens of other homes.

Hot and windy conditions helped the fire grow on Tuesday.

Fire spokeswoman Sarah Foster says the Snag Canyon Fire that started late Saturday has scorched about 3 square miles of grass, brush and timber. It's about 10 percent contained and 200 firefighters are attacking it.

Meanwhile, officials fighting a new wildfire complex on a northeast Washington Indian reservation have issued an urgent evacuation notice for about 20 homes.

The Devil's Elbow Complex of three wildfires was detected Sunday on the Colville Reservation. Officials say it was likely ignited by weekend lightning. It has burned across about 2,000 acres.

Fire spokeswoman Kathy Moses says six families have evacuated to a community center in Keller. A stretch of State Highway 21 in the area has been closed.

Elsewhere, hot, dry weather on Tuesday has allowed two fires in central Washington to grow.

The state Emergency Operations Center says wildfires have scorched an estimated 485 square miles in Washington state, and they have burned an estimated 334 homes.