Cle Elum, Wash., Continues To Battle Wildfire

A large wildfire in the remote mountains of Central Washington state has burned 22 thousand acres . The Northwest News Network’s Anna King reports the fire has destroyed at least 60 structures from Cle Elum.

Nearly 800 firefighters have been battling the wind-whipped fire for several days. 18-year-old Tyler Oversby stared as giant plumes of smoke crept closer to his hometown.

Oversby: “The only thing that I honestly think should happen, is that it should pour down rain right now. This would be gone. We always are complaining about the rain – now we wouldn’t be complaining because it would save us.”

Many exhausted residents have been evacuated and are unable to return to their homes.

Copyright 2012 Northwest Public Radio