Calm weather aids crews fighting wildfire near Leavenworth; mandatory evacuations still in place

LEAVENWORTH -- Crews fighting a wildfire near Leavenworth were aided by calm weather Sunday, but  more than 100 homes still remained under evacuation notice.

The Suncrest Fire between Leavenworth and the town of Peshastin was about 500 acres, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources said. On Monday morning, the fire was listed at 35 percent contained, with more than 300 personnel working to put out the blaze.

Officials said the blaze appeared to be moving away from homes.

A little more than 150 homes were on Level 2 or 3 evacuation notices Sunday night. The notices were in effect near the the area of North Road at Chumstick Road, and at Anderson Canyon Road.

A Level 3 evacuation notice is mandatory, and homeowners must leave their residence.

Officials said no homes had been lost yet in the blaze that they believe to be human caused. Firefighters were working to establish a fire line between the fire and residential areas.

Crews were aided Sunday by retardant planes and other aircraft dropping buckets of water on the flames.

With the cause of the fire likely human related, officials reminded campers not to leave campfires unattended while in the backcountry.