Lewis County Sirens.com

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.”

An image from early on yesterday from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office

Updated at 12:01 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Authorities last night said fire lines were holding and some residents were allowed to return home after flames swept through more than 400 acres in Rochester.

Four residences, two barns and also a business at Southwest 183rd Avenue and Loganberry Street burned, according to Thurston County Emergency Management. No injuries have been reported.

West Regional Fire Authority was initially dispatched at 1:33 p.m. yesterday for a brush fire at Wakley Lane and Southwest 183rd Avenue, near the southwest corner of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Recreation Area, according to the fire department. Numerous fire agencies joined them with ground crews and air drops as the fire moved to the east side of Interstate 5.

Crews planned to remain on scene through the night working on small spot fires for the safety of the community, according to WTRFA.

West Thurston Fire stated last night that those confirmed as property owners within the evacuation area could return home, but the general public would not be allowed in.

More than 1,000 people were without power. Thurston County Emergency Management said 100 homes were evacuated.

A reunification site was at first arranged for Rochester High School, but a site opened at the Rochester LDS Church located at 18501 Paulson Street SW according to Thurston County Emergency Management.

Thurston County Emergency Management last night reported the location where the fire began was in a different spot, at the southeast corner of the wildlife area, near Southwest 183rd Avenue, between Guava Street and Case Road.

WTRFA said last night a cause had not yet been determined, but they confirmed no lightning strikes for the area.

West Thurston Fire Chief Robert Scott requested and received state fire assistance yesterday afternoon, which brought in two wildland strike teams from Pierce County.

Others assisting included fire departments with Thurston, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties, the state Department of Natural Resources, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Thurston County Public Works, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to WTRFA.

The fire incident management team was to meet this morning. A fire camp has been set up at Rochester High School.

WTRFA indicates information is being provided by Thurston County Emergency Management, which can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

A soup kitchen was to be opened until 10 p.m. last night and again this morning until 10 a.m.

For the latest on road closures, check Thurston County Public Works.

For updates on power outages, see Puget Sound Energy

Thurston County Emergency Management can be reached here

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Fire camp set up at Rochester High School as crews continue to extinguish fire and assess structure and acreage loss. / Thurston County Emergency Management

Image from Chehalis Tribal Emergency Operations just before 2:30 p.m.

Updated at 6:24 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A large wildland fire in Rochester has jumped across Interstate 5,  prompted several road closures and led to evacuations.

West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Lt. Lanette Dyer says most people who have been asked to leave their homes are saying they want to stay, and that is not a good idea.

“If you’re being asked to evacuate, you really need to pick up what’s really valuable like your pets and your children and get to Rochester High School,” she said.

The fire is estimated at 350 acres and growing, the state Fire Marshal’s Office said just after 6 o’clock this evening. Named the Scatter Creek Fire, it is threatening homes, crops and commercial structures in the area.

Evacuations are currently in effect for approximately 100 homes, state Fire Marshal John Wabel stated.

The right lane of northbound I-5 was closed near milepost 90 near  Southwest 183rd Avenue beginning about 3:20 p.m., according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office just before 3 p.m. asked people to avoid the area. At 4:45 p.m., they said the fire is moving in a southeast direction and that homes southeast from Sargent Road and Wakley Lane to Nutmeg Street are being evacuated.

Dyer said late this afternoon this is a very large scale fire, one she’s been so busy with she could not guesstimate its size, or the number of firefighters from surrounding areas who have joined them.

The fire has has damaged historical homes, two farms and several other houses, she said. It is burning in grass, brush and timber.

State fire assistance was mobilized at 4:30 p.m. at the request of West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Chief Robert Scott. Two wildland strike teams were ordered and the fire will be managed by a Type 3 Incident Management Team.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to a Level 2 to coordinate state assistance.

The fire started about 1:33 p.m. today and the cause is under investigation.

Thurston County Emergency Management issued a list of local streets shut down at 3:50 p.m. today:

Closures include:

• Southwest 183rd Avenue between Wakley Lane on the west end and Loganberry Street Southwest at the east end

• Case Road between 183rd Ave. and 180th Ave.

• Guava Street SW between 183rd and 180th

• Southwest 180th Avenue between Guava Street to Case Road

• Ivan, Guava South, Elderberry, Citrus, Apricot, Seco Lane all at 183rd

• Southwest 183rd Avenue at Sargent Road to Old Highway 99

• Case Road from 183rd to Maytown Road

• 140th at Case Road

• Nutmeg Street SW at Loganberry at 183rd

Rochester High School is being used as a reunification site, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Emergency Management states: If you are needing pet sheltering or transport due to the Rochester fire that is currently burning, please contact Diana Hardy at 360-273-7440.

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Image from Thurston County Sheriff’s Office