Port Angeles owner cited after controlled burn spreads
Published 12:01 am Friday, May 13, 2016
PORT ANGELES — The property owner at 100 Fernwood Lane has been cited for second-degree reckless burning after a controlled burn grew out of control and spread into brush and trees.
Clallam County Fire District No. 2 firefighters were called to the blaze at 4:52 p.m. Wednesday.
The fire grew into two separate blazes, Assistant Chief Mike DeRousie said.
One was about 50 feet by 50 feet; the second was about 75 feet wide by 199 feet in length, he said.
Firefighters used about 4,250 gallons of water and 5 gallons of foam to extinguish the two blazes, he added.
Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King said the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office cited Rex Aldrich for reckless burning in the second degree.
Maps show that 100 Fernwood Lane is located at Fernwood and Brown roads, about two blocks from Monroe Road. The property also is close to Ennis Creek.
Another wildland fire
DeRousie said the Fernwood Lane incident was the second wildland fire in less than a week.
The first was at 5:46 p.m. Saturday, said the assistant chief.
A beach fire at the end of Charles Road, north of Lower Elwha Road, had been put out, but not well enough. High winds that evening re-ignited it.
The Charles Road fire burned a path 10 feet wide by 500 feet long before it was extinguished, DeRousie said.
“Please remember that you are responsible for the fire that you build and you must make sure you put the fire out completely,” he said.
“We are expecting another hot, dry season, and the fire service needs your help in being safe with fires and reporting anything suspicious.”
Fire District No. 2 serves the communities of Deer Park, Gales Addition, Black Diamond, Dry Creek and Lake Sutherland.
