NEAH BAY — Wildfires that forced the evacuation of about 100 people in Neah Bay on Thursday were just about wrapped up on Sunday with state Department of Natural Resources crews expecting to leave today.
‘They are not fully extinguished, but there has been no new growth in the fires,” Makah Tribal Chair T.J. Greene said Sunday.
“At last report everything was at 90 or 100 percent contained,” he said.
Residents were allowed to return to their homes on Friday while schools and tribal operations remained closed as crews battled several fires that broke out early Thursday morning, fanned by high winds with gusts above 50 mph.
There were no injures and no property damage although fires burned at least 140 acres.
The largest blaze, the Cape Fire, actually was composed of two outbreaks, the Alpha Fire and the Bravo Fire.
The Charley Fire, also known as the Hobuck Lake Fire, was the first one discovered in the early morning hours Thursday as it dropped hot embers, on homes but by late Friday, it was 90 percent contained.
Johnny’s Junction Fire did not grow beyond 2 acres and was fully contained Friday.
Smoke was not a problem because of northeasterly winds blowing it out to sea.
The cause of the fire has not been determined although it is suspected that embers from controlled burns may have been the cause.
DNR has been the lead agency fighting the fires. Assistance has been provided by the Olympic Correction Center from south of Forks.
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Executive Editor Leah Leach can be reached at lleach@ soundpublishing.com.
