WINTHROP, Wash. (AP) — A massive wildfire continues to rage unchecked in north-central Washington state.

The fire fueled by dry conditions and gusty winds has grown to nearly 340 square miles, forced the evacuation of towns, destroyed numerous homes and blackened scenic hillsides as it burns into new areas.

Road closures and evacuations have been changing regularly. People living between Carlton and Pateros have been told to leave their homes.

Gov. Jay Inslee says about 50 fires are burning, many of them touched off by lightning and fanned by gusty winds.

The National Interagency Fire Center says two military air tankers are being sent from Wyoming to help fight wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.