By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Three firefighters from the Rochester-area fire department have joined others from around the state in battling a wildfire that has reportedly destroyed nine homes near Goldendale.
Chief Robert Scott of West Thurston Regional Fire Authority said this morning his department sent a wildland engine and crew.
It’s the third large wild fire they’ve assisted with recently, he said.
While some wild fires in Eastern Washington have prompted large mobilizations over the past two weeks, Scott says conditions right here are ripe as well for any fire to grow fast and far.
Over the next several days folks need to be very, very careful, Scott said.
“All it takes is a little spark, and if you get wind behind it, it can be bad,” Scott said.
Members of his department joined Thurston County Fire District 12 yesterday evening when nearly five acres caught fire north of 183rd Avenue Southwest near Leitner Road.
A field of burning scotch broom threatened three homes, which were protected by the first arriving engines, according to District 12 Battalion Chief Jim Fowler.
Some 40 people from four departments and from the Department of Natural Resources sprayed water and dug a fire trail, Fowler said.
It was caused by a spark from a lawn mower, according to Fowler.
Scott said the flames moved so fast, even the field mice couldn’t outrun them.
Update Friday Sept. 9, 2011 at 8:15 a.m.: Fire Districts from Mossyrock and Napavine each sent a pair of firefighters with a brush truck to Goldendale on Thursday afternoon.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter