||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE |||
At 12:50 pm on July 14, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources formally closed the call for the West Sound Fire, which began on July 8. The fire has been fully extinguished, and all equipment, personnel and resources are now leaving the scene.
The cause of the fire is determined human caused – accidental in nature. A contractor was cutting grass the day before the fire, when they set down the equipment for fuel and string, hot exhaust touched moss and grasses. “The working theory is that the heat of the exhaust touching the moss caused it to smolder until the next day when heat of the day followed by offshore winds picked up and ignited that area causing the wildland fire,” said Orcas Fire Chief and Fire Investigator Chad Kimple. This is the leading theory from WA DNR investigators.
Over 80 individuals, 14 fire engines, two helicopters, 1 bulldozer, and over 1,000’ of fire hoses were utilized during the first day of operations and six days of hotspot containment and investigation.
OIFR would again like to thank the many individuals from neighboring islands and around the state for their rapid assistance. This was truly a county and statewide effort to battle the fire and to support the crews.
OIFR is currently seeking new members for interior and wildland fire fighting. Please reach out to OIFR to learn about upcoming fire academies and ways to join the department.
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