Raging Washington state wildfire destroys 80 homes

[World News]

By Victoria Cavaliere SEATTLE (Reuters) - A fast moving wildfire burning east of Washington state’s Cascade Mountains destroyed some 80 homes and displaced hundreds of people on Friday as it scorched through parched vegetation and showed no sign of letting up, emergency officials said. In the town of Pateros, about 120 miles northeast of Seattle, the entire population of about 650 people was under mandatory evacuation orders, though some began returning Friday to survey the charred remains of their homes and belongings. “The fire basically burned out the town of Pateros,” said Mark Clemens, a spokesman with the Washington Emergency Management Division. So far, about 83 homes and other dwellings have been confirmed lost, including at least 35 in Pateros, 40 at Alta Lake and the remaining spread through the region, according to the Okanogan Sheriff’s Office.

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