Washington state wildfire threatens homes, farms, gas pipeline

By Matt McKnight

SATUS, Washington (Reuters) – A fast-growing wildfire forced residents to evacuate a rural stretch of southern Washington state’s Klickitat County on Saturday after it burned more than 30,000 acres in less than 24 hours.

The Newell Road Wildfire has already destroyed several structures in the area and is threatening homes, farms, crops and livestock, solar and wind farms and a pipeline, county emergency officials said.

Officials were due to brief reporters later on Saturday in nearby Bickleton, a community of about 80 people about 120 miles (190 km) east of Portland, Oregon.

Firefighters from across the area have descended on the blaze that is burning just north of the Columbia River, which marks the state’s border with Oregon. Officials have not said what caused the fire, and there have been no reports of injuries or deaths.