State resources approved to battle Whitehall Fire burning south of Coulee City

Washington state resources were approved Saturday to battle the so-called Whitehall fire burning about 8 miles southwest of Coulee City in Douglas County.

The fire, which began at about 11:30 a.m. Saturday and has grown to about 3,500 acres, is threatening homes, crops and electrical infrastructure, but no homes have been damaged and no injuries reported. Local firefighters quickly responded to the blaze Saturday afternoon, and as of Sunday morning, the fire is about 50 percent contained.

Crews reported minimal fire activity overnight. State firefighters will be on fire lines Sunday to extinguish remaining hot spots and reinforce containment lines, firefighters said in a news release.

Winds are expected to increase by Sunday afternoon over the fire area as a cold front pushes through, which could spread the blaze.

There are no evacuation orders in place and no road closures.