WINTHROP, Wash. — A massive wildfire in north-central Washington is growing rapidly. As of Saturday morning, it had scorched 336 square miles in the scenic Methow Valley.

Fire officials say hot weather and high winds have pushed the fire over ridge tops and into a cluster of small towns northeast of Seattle.

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Smoke billows from a wildfire in the Methow Valley Saturday morning in Winthrop, Wash. A wind-driven, lightning-caused wildfire racing through rural north-central Washington destroyed about 100 homes Thursday and Friday, leaving behind solitary brick chimneys and burned-out automobiles as it blackened hundreds of square miles in the scenic Methow Valley northeast of Seattle. The Associated Press

Howling winds were blowing southeast toward Chelan County on Saturday morning.

People living between Carlton and Pateros have been told to leave their homes.

Fire officials say fire conditions are fluid and more evacuations could be ordered.

The fire was measured at 260 square miles on Friday.