More Evacuations from Wildfire near Leavenworth

NEAR LEAVENWORTH, Wash. — The number of evacuations has jumped as firefighters tackle a wildfire burning five miles northeast of Leavenworth. 27 homeowners have been warned to get out. Another sixty have been told to get set to leave on short notice.

Paul Hedeen evacuated his home on Eagle Creek Road Tuesday night after he saw the fire burning right across the road from his house. Rob and Stephanie Torbett decided to pull out after an air tanker dropped fire retardant on their place.

Stephanie said, "literally, red all over our cars, our dog." No homes have burned yet, but the flames have come within 100 yards from several of them.

Local firefighters will be replaced Wednesday by a multi-agency group moving in from across the state. More than 300 firefighters will be on the fire lines.

So far, most of the smoke has moved in an easterly direction. It is clouding the air in Cashmere and Wenatchee.

KIRO