FORKS — A brush fire that caused some Fourth of July celebrations in Forks to be canceled was fully contained Wednesday, after burning 39 acres and one home.
“The good news is the fire is 100 percent lined,” said Janet Pearce, public information officer for the state Department of Natural Resources, on Wednesday morning.
“People will still see smoke as crews are beginning to mop up and get those hot spots put out, but progression towards any communities has stopped,” she said.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation early Wednesday, Pearce said.
The fire was reported at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday near the end of Bogachiel Way in the southeastern part of the city. By 6:30 p.m., Forks had canceled its holiday fireworks show and demolition derby and consumer fireworks were banned.
An emergency declaration was issued by Clallam County commissioners.
About 35 homes were evacuated but by Wednesday morning, residents were being allowed back to their homes. Bogachiel Way was still closed to regular traffic, according to Clallam County Undersheriff Ron Cameron, who manages the county emergency management department.
In addition to the one home that was destroyed, about three outbuildings also burned, according to Forks City Attorney Rod Fleck.
Firefighters from Beaver and Forks were assisting in operations and a temporary shelter was set up with help from the American Red Cross in the gym of Forks High School, 261 Spartan Ave. It had about 20 people by about 8:40 p.m. Tuesday.
No injuries were reported.
Clallam Public Utility District shut off power to Bogachiel Way and will have to replace poles that burned in the blaze.
Peninsula Communications dispatchers said Tuesday they fielded numerous fire complaints across Clallam County.
A growing brush fire has burned at least one structure and forced the cancellation of fireworks in Forks. (Clallam County Fire District 1)
