Brush fire, garage blaze keep Clallam firefighters busy

Published 1:30 am Sunday, July 9, 2017

PORT ANGELES — Clallam Fire District No. 2 responded to two fires, one along the Elwha River and the other located in a garage and attached shed, within three hours of each other Friday night.

No injuries were reported.

Fireworks are suspected in starting a reported brush fire near the Elwha River bridge, according to Assistant Fire Chief Mike DeRousie.

Around 4:25 p.m., 14 firefighters responded to the reported brush fire located at 2395000 U.S. Highway 101, about one mile down the Elwha River.

The firefighters drove down an unused boat launch and hiked about a fourth of a mile to reach a burning logjam.

Firefighters used chainsaws to cut the logjam apart and reach parts of the fire.

District 2 responded with two wildland brush engines, a water tender, an engine and a command vehicle. The Olympic National Park responded with two firefighters, two rangers and a wildland brush engine.

The fire was put out by 8 p.m.

At 10:45 p.m., District 2 responded to a residential structure fire at 173 Avis St., Port Angeles, according to a news release.

The fire started in a free-standing shed near a garage and home.

Owner Ron Kuchler’s son was staying in part of the garage. Kuchler and his son attempted to save the garage by spraying it with a garden hose.

When Clallam County sheriff’s deputies arrived, they told the two to back away from the fire, which had become too “intense and hot” at that point as the shed was fully-engulfed in flames.

District 2 responded with 17 firefighters, a medic unit, three fire engines, two water tenders and a command vehicle.

The firefighters put out the fire before it spread to a neighbor’s garage, according to the press release.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time.