Washington wildfire engulfs 3,000 acres, homes burn

(Reuters) - A wildfire racing through central Washington state "blew up" overnight, threatening homes and businesses as flames enveloped roughly 3,000 acres, nearly double the area burning only a day earlier, state officials said Monday.

"It jumped last night, just blew up," said Janet Pearce, spokeswoman for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. "It is such a bad year."

Emergency officials were deploying added teams of firefighters to the area, Pearce said.

On Sunday, hundreds of people were ordered to leave their homes as the fast-moving wildfire destroyed at least nine properties and threatened businesses.

Many took refuge in shelters as the blaze raged near the cities of Cashmere and Wenatchee in Chelan County, about 120 miles (200 km) east of Seattle.

"Leave your home immediately, the fire is close and you are in danger," the Chelan County Emergency Management office said in a notice to area residents.

The office described the fire as "very dangerous," adding: "We may not be able to get to your house to warn you, so please leave your residences."

Local media reported dozens of homes and commercial establishments had caught fire. Pictures posted on Twitter showed structures engulfed in flames.

Officials said they had not determined what started the fire but believed it was likely humans. With the approaching Fourth of July holiday, state officials were asking residents to avoid using personal fireworks.

(Reporting by Chris Michaud and Carey Gillam; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Dan Grebler)