Fire takes two homes

From 150 to 200 firefighters continue to battle a wildfire around Omak Lake that has closed a school and evacuated homes.

Two homes and eight other structures have been lost in the St. Mary’s Mission Road Fire that started Tuesday night east of Omak.

Fire officilas said Thursday night they have no containment on the fire, which has consumed some 4,900 acres in the rocky grass and timber area south of highway 155 and mostly bordered by the Columbia River Road, which is closed from Cameron Lake Cut Off Road to Kartar Valley Road. Only residents with proof of residency are allowed in. SR 155 is open.

Paschal Sherman Indian School is closed for the week.

Nearby homes have been evacuated.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.