Carlton Complex Fire
A wildfire in central Washington spun out of control early Friday morning, pushing back police and fire crews and forcing the evacuation of several more homes in addition to the entire town of Pateros and a hospital in Brewster. There are no confirmed estimates yet on how much the Carlton Complex Fire, sparked on Tuesday by a lightning strike, has grown. Consistent gusts of dry air throughout the night fanned the flames. The fire remains zero percent contained, and fire crews are hoping for assistance on Friday from state resources.
Section:Picture story
A wild fire encroaches on a ranch early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, in Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Fire crews work to battle a wildfire raging near Brewster early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, in downtown Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A fire crew checks a home for occupants as a wildfire raging nearby early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, in downtown Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Fire crews work to battle a wildfire raging near Brewster early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, in downtown Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A pickup drives rapidly along a road where a wildfire rages early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, near Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Fire crews work to battle a wildfire raging near Brewster early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, in downtown Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A pickup hangs a u-turn as a wildfire jumps the road early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, in Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A wildfire is seen raging in the hills behind Brewster early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, in Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Dan Shiflett holds a flashlight as Tyler Freeman loads cabinets onto a flatbed trailer during an evacuation early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, near Monse, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Bill Burns, right, helps Tyler Freeman, left, load cabinets onto a flatbed trailer during an evacuation early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, near Monse, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Dan Shiflett holds a flashlight as Tyler Freeman loads cabinets onto a flatbed trailer during an evacuation early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, near Monse, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A wildfire creeps dangerously close to a ranch early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, in Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Smokey clouds hang over an orchard on Friday, July 18, 2014, near Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A wildfire burns in the hills behind a Brewster home early Friday morning, July 18, 2014, in Brewster, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
This aerial photo shows a large plume of smoke and steam rises from just south of Pateros, Wash., Friday morning, July 18, 2014 from the Carlton Complex Fire. Authorities say the wildfire has already burned about 100 homes and prompted the evacuation of Pateros, home to about 650 people in Okanogan County. A hospital in nearby Brewster was also evacuated as a precaution.
Don Seabrook, The Wenatchee World Associated Press
This aerial photo shows a Pateros, Wash. neighborhood that was destroyed by fire on Friday, July 18, 2014, after the Carlton Complex Fire swept through town Thursday night. Authorities say the wildfire has already burned about 100 homes and prompted the evacuation of Pateros, home to about 650 people in Okanogan County. A hospital in nearby Brewster was also evacuated as a precaution.
Don Seabrook, The Wenatchee World Associated Press
Emma Franco, carries Jovonnie Lobato as she walks through the empty space of what used to be her home on Friday, July 18, 2014, in Pateros, Wash. “I have nothing left,” she said. “No papers, no clothes.”
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The burnt out skeleton of a swing is seen in a Pateros neighborhood hit hard by wildfire on Friday, July 18, 2014, in Pateros, Wash
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Emma Franco, is embraced after visiting the site of her mobile home which was destroyed by a wildfire on Friday, July 18, 2014, in Pateros, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A collection of broken mugs are seen in what is left of David Brownlee and his wife Ramona’s home on Friday, July 18, 2014, in Pateros, Wash. “She collects them,” Brownlee said. “They were all ready to go to our storage unit; maybe there is one or two good ones left.”
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
“Guess I wont have to water the lawn today,” said David Brownlee as he stands in the middle of what used to be his and his wife Ramona’s home on Friday, July 18, 2014, in Pateros, Wash. “It’s pretty final isn’t it?” he said.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The fire that destroyed David Brownlee’s home was so hot it melted the glass in his vintage Chevrolet pickup as seen on Friday, July 18, 2014, in Pateros, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Charred bark is seen on a tree on Friday, July 18, 2014, in Pateros, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
David and Ramona Brownlee’s refrigerator still shows it’s handmade decor after a fire destroyed it and the home surrounding it, as seen on Friday, July 18, 2014, in Pateros, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The skeleton of a Pateros neighborhood is seen on Friday, June 18, 2014, after a wildfire burnt it to the ground Thursday night in Pateros, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Crews work to stifle flames and hot spots in a Pateros neighborhood on Friday, July 18, 2014, after a wildfire burnt it to the ground Thursday night in Pateros, Wash.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The cross atop the Pateros United Methodist Church is seen seemingly enveloped by burnt foliage on Friday, July 18, 2014, in Pateros, Wash. The Church escaped narrowly being burnt to the ground during Thursday night’s wildfire.
Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Share on Social Media