Hundreds told to evacuate because of central Washington wildfire

An ammonia leak from the Blue Bird packing plant is seen from East Wenatchee on Monday, Jun 29, 2015, in Wenatchee, Wash. Emergency management officials have issued a “shelter in place” order after ammonia started leaking from the fruit warehouse burning in the central Washington wildfire. (Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review, via AP) (The Associated Press)

A resident wears a mask while walking in Wenatchee, Wash., near the Blue Bird fruit plant Monday, June 29, 2015. Emergency management officials say ammonia that started leaking from the fruit warehouse burning in a central Washington wildfire has dissipated and is no longer a threat. (Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review, via AP) (The Associated Press)

Flames and smoke from one of several warehouses on fire, thought to have been sparked by embers from a wildfire that hit homes on a nearby hillside, rises from the collapsed structure Monday, June 29, 2015, in Wenatchee, Wash. The wildfires hit parts of central and eastern Washington over the weekend as the state is struggling with a severe drought, destroying dozens of structures and forcing hundreds to flee. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) (The Associated Press)

Authorities say more than 200 people have been urged to leave their homes as a fast-growing grass fire burns in central Washington.

The Chelan County Emergency Management office says the fire Sunday has damaged or destroyed at least nine structures.

The office says the evacuations are occurring at the north end of Wenachee, and included are both a Walmart and a Sav-Mart store.

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources to assist local crews battling the Sleepy Hollow Fire, which began Sunday afternoon.

News reports say the blaze had grown to about 2.6 square miles Sunday night and an emergency shelter has been opened in a high school for people who had evacuated the area.

Officials say that there have been no reports of injury.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.