Authorities suspect arsonist set wildfire, others in Washington

THORP, Wash. (AP) -- A wildfire that destroyed two homes and threatened dozens of others appears to be the work of an arsonist who has set 10 other fires in central Washington in the last two months, authorities said Saturday.
A state of emergency was declared in Kittitas County as a wind-swept blaze forced the evacuation of dozens of homes in the Cascade foothills. Helicopters dropped water and planes distributed retardant to prevent the fire's spread.
"We are investigating this fire as arson," Undersheriff Clayton Myers said Saturday. "We believe they are all linked."
Winds up to 25 mph fanned the flames, forcing the evacuation of about 200 mainly seasonal homes in the eastern Cascade foothills Saturday. Myers said the blaze destroyed two homes and a shop as it raced across 300 acres.
None of the previous 10 arsons in Kittitas County damaged buildings.
The fire began Friday near Interstate 90 between Cle Elum and Ellensburg. Some of the homes firefighters were able to save had flames lapping at the front door, Myers said.
"It's stressing our resources. In fact, we've moved beyond what our resources can handle," Myers said.
High winds posed a threat as firefighters hoped to channel the fire away from nearby timber, said Dave Johnson, incident commander for Washington state.
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