Three new wildfires flared up across the Northwest, one of them threatened homes and a casino while another exploded across timber and grasslands.

One of the top priorities for firefighters was the Jackass Butte fire near Okanogan in North Central Washington. The fire was started Tuesday night by lightning.

Officials evacuated about a dozen people and for awhile were worried about several homes, a bingo hall and a hotel. Highway 97 was briefly closed when smoke from the fire made it too difficult for drivers to see where they were going.

The Okanogan County Sheriff says it was brought under control Wednesday afternoon and is now in the mop up stage.

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The other big trouble spot was the Jack Knife fire near Grass Valley, Oregon. Jeree Mills of the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center said the fire grew from about 750 acres Tuesday night to more than 8,000 acres by mid-day Wednesday.

She said the fire took off after being pushed by winds into an area of timber and grass. For now, the fire poses little threat to humans.

The third new fire is Rattlesnake Point, also in North Central Washington. The latest reports put it at 300 acres, but it's expected to grow because of gusty winds in the area.

Meanwhile, firefighters managed to contain the Seep Lakes fire near Warden, Washington. That fire grew to almost 2,000 acres at one point and threatened 55 houses. Evacuation orders were lifted and about 100 people were allowed back into their homes.

Mills says forecasters are expecting another round of lightning storms this evening, which could spark more fires. But after that, things improve with a chance of some rain moving into the area.

Here's a status report on the other major Northwest fires:

Jackies Butte: Near Burns Junction, Oregon. Firefighters made good progress overnight and the size was downgraded to 28,902 acres.

Skookum Creek: At 400 acres, the fire did not grow overnight and Wednesday's focus is on constructing containment lines. The fire is about 7 miles northeast of the Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort and Casino.

Murderer's Creek: This 1500 acre fire about 10 miles south of Dayville, Oregon is 60% contained.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS REPORT)