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FAA investigating plane crash that sparked wildfires in north-central Washington

According to Sheriff Rogers there were about four fires that were burning along Chesaw Road that have now appeared to merge into one and is heading toward Canada.

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The Kettle Crest, Taylor and Stickpin trails are closed, and the Forest Service was anticipating closing additional trails near the Stickpin fire, which grew from 300 to 2,000 acres on Thursday afternoon, said Franklin Pemberton, an agency spokesman. Investigators are trying to determine how these fires started.

People are asked to stay clear of the area about five miles east of Oroville.

Road closures are also in effect.

The crash sparked a fire that forced the evacuation of an unknown number of homes in the area, but Rogers didn’t know if any of them were destroyed.

The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office said fire personnel found the wreckage of a plane crash near Oroville while responding to a fire call.

Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the wreckage of a small aircraft found in north-central Washington by crews responding to wildfires in the area.

A Red Cross Shelter has been set up at Oroville High School for those evacuated because of this fire.

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Communications are tough in the mountainous area and Rogers says no other details were immediately available.

Melanie Thompson