CHELAN, WA - A series of wildfires swept through 100,000 acres nearby Chelan this past weekend. Firefighters and emergency officials quickly responded to the blaze, which threatened at least “160 homes and several businesses,” according to the Seattle Times.
The fires have currently been contained in Chelan, through firefighters are continuing to deal with blazes in other nearby areas.
Chelan Fruit Cooperative was one of the businesses affected by the wildfires, where damages were estimated at $50 - $80 million, the Seattle Times reports. One packing facility and some storage buildings were lost to the flames, including several hundred thousand empty bins and boxes of apples harvested from this season and the last.
Mac Riggan, Director of Marketing with Chelan Fresh, said that the company is still operating, though its sales office has moved to the Brewster area as emergency crews work to restore communications.
“We’re currently dealing with the aftermath and we have a very resourceful staff in place at Chelan Fresh,” said Riggan. “We weren’t completely unscathed, but we’re confident that we’re going to be back in full capacity by Wednesday at the other Chelan Fruit plant that was not affected by the fire.”
According to local Washington news affiliate King5, a series of lightning strikes set off five separate blazes in the area.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to our friends, family, and businesses that have been affected by the fires,” continued Riggan.
Fire crews are continuing to contain six separate fires burning in the nearby areas. The Seattle Times reports that more than 1,600 people have been evacuated as firefighters continue working to protect homes and slow the spread of the fires.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to report any updates on this developing situation.
