NorthwestJuly 23, 2000

Associated Press

OROVILLE, Wash. -- Hot, dry weather and gusty 20 mph winds combined Saturday to whip up a pair of range fires started by lightning strikes in Okanagan County.

The Rocky Hull fire had consumed about 3,500 acres by Saturday evening, said Tim Gallagher, an information officer with the Department of Natural Resources.

The Cayuse fire, about nine miles southwest near Tonasket, was about half as big at 1,500 acres, Gallagher said.

Some homes were threatened but there were no reports of property damage, he said.

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"There were some erratic winds and there's supposed to be some lightening tonight," he said.

The fires began about 6:30 a.m. Saturday after a lightning storm peppered the area, he said.

At least 40 firefighters were fighting the larger blaze, which burned sagebrush, grass and some pines, he said. At least two air tankers and two helicopter also were on the scene.

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