Pushed by howling, erratic winds, a massive wildfire in north-central Washington state was growing rapidly and burning in new directions Saturday.
AP reported that a Road closures and evacuations were changing rapidly, as hot weather and winds with gusts up to 30 mph (48 kph) were pushing the fire over ridge tops and toward a cluster of small towns northeast of Seattle.
'This is a very active and fluid situation,' fire spokesman Chuck Turey said.
As of Saturday morning, the lightning-caused fire had scorched 336 square miles (870 square kilometers) in the scenic Methow Valley. The fire was measured at 260 square miles (673 square kilometers) on Friday.
People living between Carlton and Pateros have been told to leave their homes.