Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
'Concerning for what fire season might look like ...'
During an unseasonably hot weekend, several brush fires broke out in Mason County, including a 41-acre blaze at Kamilche Point that required a state Department of Natural Resources helicopter to fight. Other fires occurred in Allyn, above, and Harstine Island. Photos courtesy of Central Mason Fire & EMS.
The Kamilche Point fire blackened 41 acres.
A state Department of Natural Resources helicopter dumps fire retardant on the Kamilche Point blaze.
A fire that began Saturday on Kamilche Point Road just south of Shelton spread to 41 acres before it was contained and extinguished by the state Department of Natural Resources.
According to DNR spokesperson Janet Pearce, the fire is in "mop-up mode," which means DNR crews are ensuring there are no hot spots that could reignite the fire.
"People may see a little smoke when we do mop-up and getting all the hot spots that are left," Pearce told the Journal. "It's always a good sign doing a mop-up. Crews wet the hot spots, dig into the ground and make sure there are no fires under the trees. It's dangerous work walking around there, firefighters can step into a hole. One will be spraying the hose, the other digging it out until it's cool to the touch."
According to Mason County Fire District 4 Chief Greg Rudolph, the department arrived at the Kamilche Point Road fire about 5:30 p.m. Saturday and turned the fire over to DNR at 11 p.m. DNR fought the fire until it was extinguished. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Fire District 4 and DNR.
Rudolph has fought wildland fires before but not this early in the year.
"It's pretty early in the year to see something spread as fast as this fire did," Rudolph told the Journal. "It's a bit concerning for what the fire season this year might look like for us. We were able to handle the situation really well with our mutual aid partners."
Pearce said this is not unusual anymore, with fire season being a year-round occurrence.
"We are expecting it any time of year," Pearce said. "A couple years ago in March, we had fires break out in Longview. I wouldn't say it's unusual, we're getting a slower start to fire season, but it's year-round anymore. The amount of snow and rain, we're in pretty good shape except with all this hot, dry weather, it dries out and adds more fuel. I can't say it's unusual to say a 41-acre fire at this time. It can happen any time of year."
Rudolph thanked DNR, Central Mason Fire, Mason County Fire Districts 6, 11, 13, 16, Thurston County Fire District 13 and South Thurston Fire.
Pearce cautioned people to be careful when making fires.
"Fire season will go for a long time, just be sure to put out the campfires," Pearce said.
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