Clallam County Fire District 3 commissioners agreed on April 2 to seek a real estate market analysis for Lost Mountain Station 36 after multiple attempts to seek volunteers to keep the station open. They’ll consider selling it and using funds for emergency supplies in the area, and offsetting construction costs for a new Carlsborg fire station. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Clallam County Fire District 3 commissioners agreed on April 2 to seek a real estate market analysis for Lost Mountain Station 36 after multiple attempts to seek volunteers to keep the station open. They’ll consider selling it and using funds for emergency supplies in the area, and offsetting construction costs for a new Carlsborg fire station. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Fire District to seek market analysis for station

Proceeds could help build new building in Carlsborg

SEQUIM — Clallam County Fire District 3 leaders have agreed to commission a market analysis for the value of Lost Mountain Station 36.

Fire commissioners agreed on April 2 to contract with Mark McHugh Real Estate to gauge how much the property could sell for and contribute to the costs of building a new Carlsborg Station 33.

Commissioners previously sold the district’s 1.96-acre East Anderson Road property for $160,000, and another sale remained pending (valued at $175,000) as of April 10 for the district’s 5.2 acres of land in the 100 block of Sieberts Creek Road.

Lost Mountain Station 36 opened in June 1980 and is about 6 miles south of U.S. Highway 101 at 40 Texas Valley Road.

District leaders held community meetings in October and March to recruit volunteers to potentially keep the station open, but it garnered only one volunteer, staff said.

The fire station hasn’t had an active volunteer since 2021 and it’s been without a vehicle for about a decade.

Commissioner Mike Mingee, who attended both public meetings, said selling the station is a tough decision but the right one.

“It’s just deferred maintenance we’re paying for,” he said.

If the fire district does sell the station, Mingee said he’s in favor of using some proceeds to purchase a container and some equipment for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members on Lost Mountain.

“We don’t want to completely leave the area, as it’s an isolated area that could be cut off,” he said.

Commissioner Bill Miano said the board would consider seeking an easement or another type of partnership with a property owner to store the container.

“Since there’s a one way in and out road, it’s a perfect candidate up there,” he said.

Carlsborg Station 33 staffs three firefighters/medics who could respond to calls in the Lost Mountain area, and they have about an eight-minute response time to the area, Fire Chief Justin Grider said last month.

“I think the service delivery is still there,” Grider said in a later interview. “Our folks do a fantastic job.”

Mingee said staff will continue to assess the district’s assets to see what can go toward building a new Carlsborg Station at the current Training and Operation Center property.

He and Miano said they’re considering a design-build process to cut down on costs, but they’ll need to start with what the district can afford before they talk about design.

“It’s hard to say a cost estimate, but fire station builds are about $1,000 a square foot — that’s the going rate right now,” Mingee said.

“Speaking for the build, I believe the design will be austere, but it’ll serve the purpose,” he added.

“We are determined to build something in Carlsborg to replace the existing station. We’ve simply outgrown out of it.”

For more about Clallam County Fire District 3, visit ccfd3.org.

________

Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

More in News

Port Angeles High School junior Tucker Swain, left, tries out a sample of roasted broccoli with ranch dressing dipping sauce prepared by Stacey Larsen, the district’s WSU Clallam Extension Farm to School consultant at the school’s cafeteria on Friday. Including locally grown produce like the Chi’s Farm broccoli into meals, increasing the amount of whole grains in foods and reducing salt and added sugar are part of the school district’s efforts to create healthier options and meet updated USDA nutrition standards. A new app provides students and parents a way to view menus and the nutritional content, calories and allergens in meal options. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
New flavors, new recipes for Port Angeles School District meal program

Goal is to promote healthy options for nutrition standards

Piping may help reduce flooding

Project aims to protect landowners, beavers

Jefferson County reduces its risk of fire danger

Collaboration moves level from high to moderate

One person was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after a fifth-wheel trailer was fully engulfed in flames on Friday. (Chris Turner/Clallam County Fire District 3)
One person flown to hospital after fire destroys trailer

A person was airlifted to a Seattle hospital after a… Continue reading

Motorcycle rider airlifted to Seattle hospital after collision

A 63-year-old man was airlifted to a Seattle hospital… Continue reading

The city of Port Angeles’ city hall east parking lot low-impact development project is complete. (City of Port Angeles)
Low-impact development parking lot complete

Project to help filter stormwater contaminants

Peninsula College President Suzy Ames, left, receives the 2024 Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award from Gov. Jay Inslee at a Sept. 10 luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia. Ames was honored for her leadership and achievements in boosting the college’s declining enrollment and strengthening its ties to the community. (Jim Kopriva/Office of the Governor)
Peninsula College president receives outstanding leadership award

Peninsula College President Suzy Ames was one of 23… Continue reading

Applications open for Jefferson County Board of Health

The Board of Jefferson County Commissioners is accepting applications… Continue reading

Paulo Leite of Port Angeles sets up a display of automotive and Star Wars toys at Saturday’s Olympic Peninsula Toy and Collectibles Show at Guy Cole Convention Center in Sequim. The exhibition featured a wide variety of toys and collectible items for display, sale or trade. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Toy show

Paulo Leite of Port Angeles sets up a display of automotive and… Continue reading

Tracey Appleton of Port Townsend cuts flowers at Wilderbee Farm on Saturday while on the 22nd annual Jefferson County Farm Tour. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Farm tour

Tracey Appleton of Port Townsend cuts flowers at Wilderbee Farm on Saturday… Continue reading

Clallam revisits cultural tax talk

May consider ballot resolution in future

Seven public services provide special assessment fees in Jefferson County

Fire protection, clean water and noxious weeds among them