CHENEY — Clallam County firefighters are part of a crew mopping up the Silver Lake Fire, which was reported to be 340 acres and 43 percent controlled, with evacuations lifted as of Thursday morning.
Firefighters Sam Orr, Steve Bentley and Tyler Reid of Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue were dispatched Monday night as part of the South Puget Sound Strike Team.
They joined other engines and crews from Woodinville Fire, Seattle Fire, King County Fire District 44, South Kitsap Fire Rescue, Mason County Fire and Eastside Fire & Rescue.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, firefighters extinguished hot spots burning along Interstate 90 and into the interior of the fire, said Chief Sam Phillips of Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue.
“With numerous wetland meadows in the area access was limited by vehicle so firefighters were supported by helicopter bucket drops,” Phillips said Wednesday in a news release.
The cause of the fire was determined to be related to a passing automobile, possibly from exhaust or hot brakes, Phillips added.
The South Puget Sound Strike Team is expected to continue to work the fire this week and be on standby for the initial attack should another fire break out, Phillips said.
According to the Northwest Coordination Center in Portland, the weather is expected to continue heating up and drying fuels which will keep the Pacific Northwest at or above normal risk for development of significant fires, Phillips said.
General winds are forecast to remain light until the upper level ridge breaks down today.
“The transition from hot, dry and unstable conditions Thursday to dry, breezy winds today could create critical fire weather conditions,” Phillips said.
