The Latest: Washington blazes destroy at least 16 homes

The Latest: Washington blazes destroy at least 16 homes


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SAN SIMEON, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on wildfires burning in the Western United States (all times local):

11:05 a.m.

Authorities say wildfires burning in eastern Washington have destroyed at least 16 homes.

The state Department of Natural Resources says a blaze just west of Spokane near the town of Davenport had destroyed at least six homes and scorched more than 9 square miles by Monday.

The Washington State Patrol says another wildfire, south of Spokane near the town of Spangle, destroyed at least 10 homes and numerous other buildings Sunday.

Local farmers helped firefighters build fire lines Sunday night.

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11:05 a.m.

A wildfire burning through timber in the central Idaho mountains has expanded to 150 square miles.

Despite the fire's size, a key route through the area reopened over the weekend. Residents of about 125 homes have been warned to prepare to evacuate, but nobody has been ordered to leave by Monday.

A road opened Saturday after crews cleared trees and rocks that fell on the pavement after the fire moved through.

Drivers are urged to not stop where helicopters are collecting water because operations must be halted if vehicles get too close.

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10:25 a.m.

Authorities say a blaze in eastern Washington state, one of several in the region, has destroyed at least six homes.

The Department of Natural Resources says the fire west of Spokane also scorched more than 9 square miles by Monday.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office says a total of 11 structures have been destroyed, a figure that includes homes, garages and outbuildings.

People in the small community of Wellpinit on the Spokane Indian Reservation have been told to evacuate.

Crews were trying to get some control of the fire, one of three causing evacuations and destroying buildings in the Spokane area.

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9:35 a.m.

Warm, windy weather has led the biggest wildfire in Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming to grow significantly.

All the park's main tourist facilities and roads are open Monday, but the fire was creeping toward a key road linking the West Entrance with the park's interior.

The fire grew by nearly 10 square miles Sunday, prompting firefighters to take measures to protect nearby park facilities in case it makes a run toward Madison Junction, an area with hiking, fishing and other activities.

The blaze has burned about 35 square miles of a mostly remote forest. It's between West Yellowstone, Montana, a town just outside the park's western boundary, and Madison Junction within the park.

It's one of four fires burning in Yellowstone, and warm, windy weather was expected again Monday.

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8:20 a.m.

A wildfire in central California that destroyed 47 structures and forced the closure of the famed Hearst Castle has grown.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says Monday that the blaze in San Luis Obispo County has charred nearly 50 square miles — up from about 43 square miles a day earlier. It's partially contained.

Residents of at least 50 mostly rural homes near Lake Nacimiento were ordered to leave late Sunday. Several other nearby communities have been under evacuation orders for days.

Hearst Castle was closed over the weekend, though officials say the fire is growing in the opposite direction of the popular tourist attraction.

Meanwhile, a 58-square-mile fire that destroyed 105 homes in Southern California is almost entirely contained and all evacuation orders have been lifted.

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7:40 a.m.

Authorities say a wildfire that has burned some homes west of Spokane, Washington, doubled in size overnight as it raged uncontained.

Fire officials tell Spokane TV station KHQ that the fire in Lincoln County scorched more than 15 square miles by Monday morning. It wasn't immediately clear how many homes were lost.

People in the community of Wellpinit have been told to evacuate. The town also lost power, making the battle by firefighters more difficult.

Authorities tell TV station KREM that the blaze has jumped the Spokane River and is charring tribal land. They said the fire is threatening homes and timber.

Two other wildfires are burning in the Spokane region, also causing evacuations and destroying an unknown number of buildings.

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6:15 a.m.

A wildfire in central California that destroyed 47 structures and forced the closure of the famed Hearst Castle has chased more people from their homes.

Fire spokeswoman Diley Greiser said early Monday that residents of at least 50 mostly rural homes near Lake Nacimiento were ordered to leave late Sunday.

The fire in San Luis Obispo County has burned 43 square miles of timber and dry brush since it began August 13. It's partially contained.

Hearst Castle was closed over the weekend, though officials said Sunday that the fire was growing in the opposite direction of the popular tourist attraction built by media magnate William Randolph Hearst.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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