A wildfire in Central Washington swelled nearly 50 percent in size overnight, and more firefighting crews headed to the area Wednesday amid fears that a change in the weather could cause the blaze to explode by week's end.
The so-called Cougar Creek fire in Central Washington grew from about 6,100 acres on Tuesday afternoon to nearly 9,200 acres by Wednesday morning, prompting a series of evacuation orders including a mandatory evacuation in one area. Hundreds of structures are considered to be potentially at risk.
It could have been worse, though - officials say crews made progress Tuesday in slowing the flames' spread in spite of high temperatures, low humidity and unfavorable winds.
More than 800 firefighters and other personnel have been assigned to battle the blaze, which is mostly burning in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.