Evacuations Ordered As Big Fire Burns

WATERVILLE, Wash. (AP) — Officials in central Washington are encouraging about 100 people to leave their homes in the path of a fast-growing wildfire.

The Douglas County sheriff's office issued evacuation notices Sunday morning for people living in the Palisades and Rimrock neighborhoods of Waterville. About 300 structures are threatened but not all are homes.

Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal told KING-TV those in the area should not wait for an evacuation notice, however, and move their family to safety if they see the fire getting closer.

Fire officials say the Douglas County complex of fires, which started Friday evening, have grown to cover about 30 square miles. No structures have been destroyed by the two fires that officials believe were started by lightning.

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