NorthwestJuly 17, 2003

Associated Press

OKANOGAN, Wash. -- A wildfire that burned seven houses in this north central Washington town Wednesday and threatened dozens more was contained by evening, Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers said.

The 200-acre fire erupted behind Okanogan High School shortly after 2 p.

m. and immediately climbed a tinder-dry hillside and tore into an area of upscale homes.

Firefighters, aided by aircraft dropping retardant, stopped the spread of the flames by around 8 p.m., Rogers said

"It's contained," said the exhausted sheriff, who was covered with soot and smoke after battling the flames alongside every firefighter in the surrounding area.

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Rogers said the fire was "human-caused" but the investigation was continuing. He did not provide details.

Damage to the upscale neighborhood could reach into the millions, Rogers said.

Smoke hung over the ruined neighborhood on the west side of this town of 2,000. Only blackened chimneys were left standing where some homes used to be.

Sheriff's Sgt. Jennifer Johnson said no one was injured.

Residents of dozens of homes were evacuated Wednesday afternoon but were being allowed to return Wednesday evening.

Mark Clemens of the state Emergency Operations Center in Olympia said more than 125 firefighters and 45 engines and water tenders from as far away as Vancouver, Wash., were dispatched Wednesday afternoon to assist beleaguered local firefighters. Most turned back when the fire was contained.

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