Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A team of Lewis and Thurston county firefighters including an engine from Morton and another from Napavine departed early this morning to a rapidly growing wildfire in Eastern Washington that reportedly began yesterday afternoon and was threatening as many as 10 homes by evening.

More than 15 square miles of grass and sagebrush were burning about 25 miles northwest of Walla Walla, according to last night’s report to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. That’s about the same size as the Cowiche Mill Fire outside Yakima in mid-July.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal last night ordered the mobilization of five wildland strike teams to assist Walla Walla Fire District 3, according to a news release early this morning.

Lewis County Fire District 14 Chief Jeff Jaques of Randle said the local team consists of five engines and a water tender. They departed shortly before 5:30 a.m. today, according to Jaques.

Advisory evacuations are in place for residents in the area of the wind-driven fire near the town of Eureka, according to authorities.

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Readers should be able to get the latest by reading the Walla Walla Union Bulletin.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Lewis County Deputies Guild has decided to endorse challenger Jonathan Meyer for Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney.

More than 75 percent favored Meyer in secret balloting, according to a news release today.

The Guild is the labor relations group representing the 36 deputies and sergeants at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Early last month, the membership invited candidates for the offices of prosecutor, sheriff and coroner to address their group.

Meyer, a Centralia defense attorney, is running against current Lewis County Prosecutor Michael Golden.

“Jonathan Meyer in the opinion of the Guild best represents the attributes required for the office of prosecuting attorney,” the group wrote in its news release. “He is diligent, honest, hard working and will bring a fresh perspective to the prosecution of criminals in Lewis County.”

The Guild’s bylaws require a candidate to receive at least 75 percent of the vote in order for the group to make an endorsement.

Thirty-two members participated in the voting. In the race for sheriff and coroner, no candidate got above the 75 percent threshold; so they won’t be making an endorsement in those races, according to the Guild.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The driver of a car that rolled over and wrecked in Rochester late yesterday afternoon was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.

Firefighters and troopers were called about 5:30 p.m. to the collision on James Road near Albany Street. James A. Saccotelli, 58, of Rochester, was pinned beneath the 1998 Ford Explorer, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Trooper Brandy Kessler said he was cited for driving under the influence.

His condition was not readily available.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Authorities said an oscillating and whipping trailer behind a sport utility vehicle driven by a Canadian couple on a camping trip caused the wreck yesterday on Interstate 5 at Napavine.

Firefighters and troopers called about 10:30 a.m. found the vehicle and trailer flipped over the center concrete barrier near the Rush Road interchange. Lewis County Fire District 5 had to break a window to extinguish a small fire inside the 1993 travel trailer.

Angela D. Neilson and Calvin R. Mojak, both of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, suffered only minor injuries.

District 5 Firefighter Brad Bozarth attributed that in part to front and side air bags in the 2003 Ford Explorer.

“For a bad situation, it turned out alright,” Bozarth said this morning.

Washington State Patrol public information officer Trooper Steve Schatzel said its something that can happen especially when traveling down hill.

“Basically the trailer starts trying to pass the car and once it gets far enough out, it actually pulls the car onto its side,” Schatzel said.

Most older trailers don’t have anti-sway brakes which can prevent that, he said.

Schatzel said he didn’t know which direction the pair were initially traveling. Bozarth said he thought they were southbound.

For yesterday’s news brief and photograph, either scroll down or click here.

Tow trucks prepare to remove a car and trailer from the center barrier of Interstate 5 near exit 72 at about 11 o'clock this morning.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

NAPAVINE – A car and trailer flipped over landing with one on each side of the center barrier of Interstate 5 at Napavine this morning.

The 10:35 a.m. accident left southbound traffic crawling nearly as far back as the Labree Road interchange almost an hour later.

The man and woman involved escaped serious injury and seemed to be okay, Napavine Police Officer Silas Elwood said after troopers arrived.

“They were pretty lucky,” Elwood said, adding the woman looked like she just had a scraped knee.

Troopers, members of Lewis County Fire District 5, personnel from the state Department of Transportation and tow trucks were one the scene.

More later.