Washington's biggest wildfire is human-caused

associated Press

WENATCHEE - Fire investigators have decided that a central Washington wildfire that has burned more than 125 square miles was human caused but they're not saying how it started or who started it in late July.

The Wenatchee World reported that Colockum Tarps Fire spokeswoman Mary Ellen Fitzgerald said Monday evening in a statement that more details would be released when the investigation is wrapped up.

The fire is 60 percent contained.

The Mile Marker 28 Fire near Goldendale in south central Washington has burned across 41 square miles. By late Monday it was fully contained.

Elsewhere, fire crews have responded to about a dozen new fires that were sparked by lightning in central Washington.

KPQ reported the 11 fires are in Kittitas, Chelan and Okanogan counties.

Jim Duck of the Central Washington Interagency Coordination Center said thunderstorms Sunday generated more than 4,500 lightning strikes in Washington, sparking fires from the Methow Valley to Cle Elum. Duck said all of the fires are now staffed with firefighting crews.