Brush fire subsides in central Washington

Fire crews fully contained a blaze that briefly threatened several dozen homes near the Columbia River, but lightning sparked new blazes Wednesday in Washington's north Cascades.

The Stuhlmiller fire burned 2.7 square miles, or 1,738 acres, in Grant and Douglas counties near the small town of Trinidad, about 20 miles southeast of Wenatchee. Strong wind gusts pushed the fire toward several dozen homes Tuesday night, but firefighters had the fire 100 percent contained Wednesday evening.

The 150 firefighters assigned to the blaze will be sent home Thursday, said fire information officer Jeff Sevigney.

"They got on it quick and got it knocked down," he said.

The fire destroyed two outbuildings. The cause remained undetermined.

To the north, a lightning storm sparked several small fires in Washington's north Cascades, but none were threatening any homes. Crews in Okanogan County also were watching for signs of smoke for any other possible fire starts.

The Cold Springs fire, burning in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, state land and the Yakama Indian Reservation, was 90 percent contained at 7,980 acres, or 12.5 square miles in the south Cascades.