3:45pm

Thu September 8, 2011
Washington wildfires

9 homes, 10 buildings burn in Washing wildfire

Credit Associated Press
Three sisters from Saint Johns Monastery, about 10 miles east of Goldendale, Wash., race across Highway 97 on Wednesday. The nuns were running garden hoses across the highway to fight the fire and using rags to beat the flames down near the monastery.

GOLDENDALE, Wash. — State officials say nine homes and 10 outbuildings have burnt in a wildfire near Status Pass in south central Washington.

Interagency management team spokesman Dale Warriner says there are no reports of injuries.

The state Department of Natural Resources says 300 people have been evacuated as the blaze burning along Highway 97 has charred more than 2,000 acres.

The DNR says the fire started about noon Wednesday in timber and brush about three miles west of Satus Pass. No cause has been determined.

Brooks Memorial State Park is closed. Traffic is disrupted on Highway 97 between Toppenish and Goldendale.

The state took over management of the fire Thursday and ordered 65 engines and water tenders to the scene. Fire managers are operating from the county fairgrounds in Goldendale.