Washington fire empties another town

PATEROS, Wash. -- A massive wildfire that has destroyed at least 100 homes has forced the residents of a second north-central Washington town to leave their homes, and prompted a partial evacuation of a third community, a sheriff said Friday night.

"We basically evacuated the whole town" of Malott, Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers said. Those in outlying areas of Brewster also were told to leave.

Several hours later, Rogers said one home had burned in Malott but the fire threat in Brewster had eased.

Malott is home to about 500 people, while the population of Brewster is about 2,400.

No injuries have been reported, the sheriff said, adding he knew the damage toll has grown but he didn't have an updated number.

"We know we've lost more homes," he said.

The hospital in Brewster was evacuated late Thursday. Smoke in the town on Friday was so thick it nearly obscured the Columbia River from adjacent highways. The smoke extended all the way to Spokane, 150 miles to the east.

Fire swept through the town of Pateros on Thursday, leaving its 650 residents to return to large areas of smoldering rubble.

Officials said Friday the fire known as the Carlton Complex has blackened more than 260 square miles and continues to grow. That size estimate was up dramatically from the prior estimate of 28 square miles.