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New Washington wildfires burn near Columbia River Gorge

WHITE SALMON, Wash. — Fire crews plan to work through the night to construct containment lines around two fast-moving new wildfires threatening dozens of homes in south-central Washington along the Columbia River Gorge.

The fires started Wednesday afternoon and quickly burned across more than 2 square miles — or 1,500 acres — of timber, brush and dry grass in the rural area.

State fire spokeswoman Debbie Robinson says the Klickitat County sheriff's office has told residents of 30 homes to evacuate and warned another 400 residents they might have to leave.

Traffic along State Highway 141 is restricted to one lane with a pilot car.

So far, no homes have burned and no injuries are reported.

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