Fire evacuees in Wash., California return home

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Hundreds of people in Washington and California who fled encroaching flames from wildfires were allowed to return to their homes Friday, and in Washington many were to find out whether their property was spared by a huge blaze that burned out of control for much of the week.

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Flames in a smoldering field inch toward a firefighter Wednesday, near Cle Elum, Wash. Crews fighting the large blaze in central Washington hope to increase containment levels by Wednesday evening, but are keeping a wary eye on weather conditions later in the week. The fire bu...