Wildfires send residents racing for shelter

(CNN) -- Wind-whipped wildfires burned through sections suburban Spokane Valley in eastern Washington late Thursday, destroying at least four homes and sending hundreds of residents to emergency shelters, authorities said.

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire issued emergency declarations for Spokane and Ferry Counties to mobilize emergency operations.

"We're doing everything we can," said Gregoire. "The local folks here have responded exactly as they need to and have done an admirable job."

Members of the National Guard will be dispatched to assist firefighters if necessary, she said.

The flames had consumed at least 1,200 acres of timber in the heavily wooded area and threatened dozens of homes, Bill Clifford with the Spokane Valley Fire Department said late Thursday.

There were no reports of injuries. About 200 residents were staying at Red Cross shelters in the area.