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CLE ELUM, Wash. — The Labor Mountain Fire continues to grow near US-96 Blewett Pass, forcing Level 3 “get out now” evacuation orders in and around the area. The fire, which began Sept. 1 from lightning, has forced a 30-mile closure of US-97 between mileposts 149 and 178, affecting the popular recreation area of Blewett Pass. A dozen trailheads, recreation residences, Camp Wahoo, the Teanaway Community Forest, and a historic guard station are at risk. These areas remain under evacuation orders… Marilyn Davis, the Labor Mountain Fire public information officer, said the fire has exceeded 35,000 acres as of Monday, Sept. 29. Just four days prior, on Sept. 25, the fire was only 17,000 acres. The Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest is known for its rugged terrain, “is considered the most rugged of any national forest in the country,” according to the Labor Mountain Inciweb fire update webpage.