A Mason County sheriff's spokesman says a new Western Washington wildfire burning near a lake is threatening 20-25 homes and firefighters from two counties are responding.

Chief Deputy Dean Byrd tells KOMO-TV (http://is.gd/kVyCCt) that the fire is "fairly close" to the homes near Rainbow Lake and deputies are alerting those residents to the danger.

About 40 firefighters and a helicopter fought the 15-acre blaze late Thursday afternoon. Byrd says all fire districts in his county are responding, as well as firefighters from nearby Thurston County.

Byrd says the fire is growing in tinder dry conditions and he says it's "going to be a challenge."

The fire sent up a huge plume of smoke. The cause is not yet known.

The area is about 45 miles southwest of Seattle.

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Information from: KOMO-TV, http://www.komotv.com/