By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Those in the know are advising now is perhaps not the time to take a lawn mower out into tall dry grass.
The cause of the fire that scorched an estimated 485 acres in Rochester is not yet determined, according to authorities, but south of Ethel, it was a riding mower that sparked a brush fire yesterday afternoon.
Crews were called just before 4:30 p.m. yesterday to the 400 block of Tucker Road where an individual had been cutting grass and started a fire, according to Lewis County Fire District 8.
It got into the edge of some trees and burned about two acres before it was finally extinguished, Fire Chief Duran McDaniel said.
They arrived to find they needed to cross a small wooden bridge to get to the fire and laid out hoses, and got brush trucks from Districts 2, 5 and the state Department of Natural Resources to access the area, according to McDaniel.
About 20 firefighters joined in the effort and all but DNR were able to leave by about 7 p.m., he said.
The wind was blowing in a direction away from a home on the property, according to McDaniel.
Fortunately, the fire was dispatched quickly and District 8 had its neighbors and the resources to keep it from spreading, McDaniel said.
“I caution the public, do not try to mow tall, dead grass with anything mechanical,” he said.
The chief said the idea takes him back to two years ago, when a brush hog operating in a field led to a nearly 200-acre fire on a chicken farm on Gore Road.
The wooden bridge was damaged, and the brush trucks had to find a shallow spot in the stream in order to leave Tucker Road, he said.
A spokesperson for the state Department of Natural Resources today is offering a recommendation for the public along the same lines, in response to the Rochester fire.
While it is contained, roughly 200 people continue to work the fire. Teams are assessing hazards including trees, the number of affected structures, burnt material, downed power lines, runoff and hazardous materials.
Lost were two primary residences, one commercial building, one unoccupied historical residence and one historical barn, according to Thurston County officials.
Outdoor burn bans are in place in Lewis and Thurston counties.
“We want to remind citizens to pay attention to their surroundings and be cautious of any outdoor activities.” DNR Communications Manager Janet Pearce said, “Even a lawnmower can start a fire.”
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Thanks for posting the article about “a lawnmower” (or riding mower) or any machine can spark a fire in dry grass and brush! (I haven’t mowed for months because of this…… and will continue to do so.) Please keep spreading the word and thank you for Lewis Co Sirens news.