JOYCE — A wildland fire reported mid-morning Thursday near Joyce was contained and turned over to the state Department of Natural Resources, which used a helicopter to drop water on it.
The initial size estimate of the fire along Joyce Access Road west of Port Angeles was 1 acre to 2 acres.
The fire stayed within that range until Clallam fire districts 2 and 4, which began fighting the blaze at about 9 a.m., contained it and turned it over to DNR at about 11:45 a.m., said Chief Jake Patterson of District 2.
He didn’t know whether it still was burning Thursday afternoon but said, “I imagine they will be there until late into the evening.”
The cause of the blaze had not been determined on Thursday.
The fire was burning in a clear-cut and heavy slash around a logging landing at the site. Smoke from the blaze was visible from state Highway 112 and the Joyce area.
People working on a logging operation near the fire reported not seeing anyone leave the area, according to a press release.
District 2 responded with two wildland fire engines and one command vehicle with a total of five personnel, according to a press release.
District 4 provided three water tenders, one ambulance and one fire engine with several personnel.
District 2 and 4 firefighters contained the fire on its southwest and east sides. A small fire that had jumped the logging road quickly was contained, the release said.
________
Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached by email at brian.gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.
