A wildfire burning near Lake Chelan in central Washington has prompted a scramble by crews, though officials say the situation is improving. Known as the Henderson Fire, the blaze grew to roughly 350 acres before evacuation orders were scaled back.
According to Chelan County Emergency Management, the fire started around 1:30 on Wednesday afternoon near Henderson Road. It spread quickly enough to raise immediate concern in the surrounding area.
Fire officials say the Henderson Fire was human-caused, though the specific circumstances that sparked it have not been detailed. Investigators typically look into how such fires begin, especially during the dry summer season.
Crews have been fighting the flames with help from the air. Viewers at Wapato Point shared video and images showing a helicopter drawing water directly from Lake Chelan and dumping it onto the fire.
By Wednesday evening, the response appeared to be paying off. All evacuation levels tied to the fire were reduced to level one, the lowest tier, after having been higher earlier in the day.
A level one designation means residents in the area are advised to stay alert and be ready in case conditions change. Officials cautioned that the situation could still shift, urging people nearby to remain prepared.
Weather remains a factor across central Washington, where gusty winds of roughly twenty to forty miles per hour have been recorded between Wenatchee and Ellensburg. Such conditions can complicate firefighting efforts and keep fire danger elevated through the season.