CLE ELUM, Wash. (AP) — Full containment of a wildfire that has destroyed dozens of homes near Cle Elum has been pushed back to next week. Fire management spokesman Mick Mueller said Thursday that firefighters working to establish a strong containment line around the last stubborn area on the north side of the Taylor Bridge fire are dealing with rugged terrain and gusty winds. Officials had estimated they'd have full containment by Friday but have pushed that back to next Wednesday.
Mueller says the fire is 91 percent contained. It has burned more than 36 square miles, or nearly 23,500 acres. Property damage has been estimated at $8.3 million. Authorities have confirmed 51 homes and 26 outbuildings were destroyed and at least six other homes were damaged. The fire started Aug. 13 near a bridge construction site, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
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