By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Authorities are keeping a eye on a forest fire in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, smoke from which has been visible in the Randle and Packwood areas.
It’s estimated to be less than 10 acres, burning in extremely steep and rugged terrain, according to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Dubbed the Coal Creek Mountain Fire, the blaze was started by a lightening strike and discovered on Wednesday, according to forest spokesperson Sharon Steriti.
There are no road or trail closures at this time.
Helicopters from the Conrad Lake Fire – also in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, but on the east side of the mountains in the Wenatchee National Forest – were initially used to suppress the latest wildfire, Steriti said.
“With all the fire activity around the country, we understand our communities’ concerns and will continue to keep the public informed on this and future fires,” Garth Smelser, a deputy forest supervisor, stated in a news release yesterday evening.” As always, our number one priority remains the safety of our firefighters and public”
The Conrad Lake Fire just eight miles south of Rimrock Lake began on Aug. 9 from lightening and has burned nearly 1,000 acres.
Meanwhile, some of the local firefighters dispatched Wednesday to assist fighting a forest fire near Leavenworth are on their way home.
“Our guys are on their way back,” Thurston County Fire District 12’s Tina Vanderhoof said this morning. “I guess they got rain last night.”
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter